July 14, 2025 REGULAR MEETING

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
August 11, 2025
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan, Mrs. Emmetts, Dr. Mattes, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Ms. Coriston

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Lippencott

Chairperson Coriston called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. with the statement that this meeting is in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. This was a regularly scheduled meeting of the Stillwater Township Environmental Commission. Regular meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at the Stillwater Township Municipal Building located in Middleville, New Jersey.

The flag was saluted and roll call was taken.

Minutes:  Mr. Szabo made a motion to approve the minutes of 6/9/25, seconded by Mrs. Emmetts.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, abstain, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

Bills: Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mrs. Tracey:
Secretary: $274.00

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:09 p.m. There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:09 p.m.

Correspondence:
– NJDEP Application Notice: 901 Aspen Court, Block 310, Lot 17 for septic alteration

– Email 6/12/2025 from Tara Mezzanotte: Paulins Kill Wild and Scenic River Project Progress

– EC Budget update through 7/7/2025

Old Business:
40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024):
The report presentation provided by Dr. Lippencott will be held on Saturday, July 26th from 10-11 a.m. The center is reserved from 9 a.m.-noon to allow time for set-up and clean-up. Flyers have been distributed and posted; emails were sent out to the organizations and individuals invited. Mrs. Wunder and Ms. Coriston will purchase the refreshments and any other items necessary using the township Shoprite card. Ms. Coriston asked for assistance with setting up tables, chairs, and refreshments. Ms. Coriston mentioned that she would like to purchase the coffee through our local business Campagna Coffee Company. Mayor Chammings agreed and asked that she contact the CFO for approval prior to doing so. Mayor Chammings discussed the technology side of the presentation with Dr. Lippencott. The tv at the center is not working so a projector will be used for his PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Coriston asked that the EC members try to attend the presentation.

Stream Water Testing – Summer 2025: 
This item was tabled until both Dr. Lippencott and Mr. Branagan are present.

TREX Program Update: 
Ms. Coriston reported the collection continues throughout the summer and is doing exceedingly well. Ms. Coriston reported the school year ended with 700 pounds of plastic collected and weighed. She will continue to collect from town hall and store it over the summer until the new school year begins. The goal is 1,000 pounds by November to achieve this collection cycle’s goal. This cycle has put the collection up to 3,200 pounds over the four cycles to date.

Fishing Line Collection:
All line is to be cleaned of litter/leaves, hooks and lead sinkers. Lead sinkers are to be provided at the meeting for recycling.

New Business:
Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition: 
– Ms. Coriston for the TREX program.

– EC members for checking the fishing receptacles.

Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings:
– Timber Rattlesnake on Old Schoolhouse Road (Mr. Branagan)

– A brief discussion was held on two possible mountain lion sightings reported awhile ago. NJ Fish and Wildlife did not respond to the report.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:26 p.m. There being no one else from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:26 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
– The Planning Board is trying to address AirBnB and related complaints. They will be working with the Zoning Officer on a potential short-term rental ordinance which would include limitations on the number of people that can stay at the property, requiring inspections, and a permit/license.

– Stillwater will be rejoining the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce as the Township is looking at restoring their Economic Development Committee which was dissolved in the 1980s.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
– Township owned land sale was held on June 24th with seven or eight of the 14 properties offered being sold to contiguous property owners. Another sale will be scheduled for October.

– DPW equipment was sold including the former ambulance turned utility truck and an old loader. The sale of one of the their-up trucks fell through as it did not start.

– All resolutions were passed for the next phase of Affordable Housing.

– The Open Space and Recreation Plan was adopted as presented by J. Caldwell & Associates.

– An ordinance to reappropriate funding to oil and stone Cedar Ridge Road from the Stillwater Grist Mill to Fredon by Waterwheel Farm will be introduced at the 7/15/2025 Township Committee meeting.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Emmetts. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wunder, Secretary