July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting

A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor Chammings at 7 p.m. noting the meeting date, time and place were duly published in the New Jersey Herald and posted at the Town Hall and advised those present that this meeting was being held in compliance with provisions of P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 & 13.

Roll Call was taken and the flag was saluted.

PRESENT: Committeeman Gross, Committeeman Morrison, Committeeman Fisher, Deputy Mayor Scott, Mayor Chammings, Municipal Clerk Lynda Knott, Attorney Angelo Bolcato

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

After the reading of the following Resolution to enter into Executive Session, a motion was made by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Gross and carried by roll call vote to adopt the resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 6:06 p.m.

WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey as follows:

1. The public shall be excluded from that portion of this meeting.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: Personnel; Attorney/Client; Real Property; Contract; Public Safety

3. As nearly as can now be ascertained, the matter or matters to be discussed at this time will be disclosed to the public when such matters are resolved.

There being no further business to attend to, a motion was made by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Morrison to conclude the Executive Session at 7:02 p.m., unanimously carried by roll call vote.

REGULAR SESSION:

MINUTES:

Regular and Executive Session Minutes: June 18, 2019

Mr. Morrison made a motion to approve the minutes as listed, seconded by Mr. Scott.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

RESOLUTIONS:

2019-078: Authorizing Reimbursement to Crandon Lakes for 2018 Snow Plowing

2019-079: Authorizing Reimbursement to Paulinskill Lake Association for 2018 Snow Plowing – (TABLED AT THIS TIME – ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED)

2019-080: Authorizing Liquor License Renewal for 2019-2020

2019-081: Authorizing the Issuance of Raffle Licenses

2019-082: Assigning Tax Sale Certificate 2016-005 for Block 408, Lot 6

Mr. Scott made motion to adopt the resolutions as listed, excluding 2019-079, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

Resolution 2019-083:

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
RESOLUTION 2019-083
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF AUDREY L. MORRISON
AS A MEMBER OF THE STILLWATER AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH COMMITTEE CONCURRENCE

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater do hereby concur with the Mayor’s appointment of Audrey L. Morrison as a Member of the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appointment was made at a meeting of the Township Committee on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-083, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, abstain, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

REPORTS:

Building Department Report for June 2019

DPW Report for June 2019

Tax Collector’s Report for June 2019

QPA Report for June 2019

Convenience Center Report for May 2019

SC Division of Health Report for June 2019

Fire Department for YTD to July 10, 2019

Mr. Scott made a motion to accept the reports as submitted, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

BILLS LIST #11: $1,300,627.67

RESOLUTION 2019-084 PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-084, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:

Add to discussion: DOT Grant Applications

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Fisher and Deputy Fire Chief Steve Sugar met with the CERT team and discussed certifications and OEM back-up. The team is expanding and would like to encourage Fredon and Hampton to participate.

Mr. Scott reported Garage Sale Weekend will be held July 20^th and 21^st. There are 61 sales registered and included on the map. The playground at Veteran’s Memorial Park (VMP) will be installed in the near future. The Recycling Center operations have improved. The DPW position was advertised and ten applications have been received at this point.

Mayor Chammings reported the Planning Board will meet July 17^th and will review soil importation ordinances. The Environmental Commission (EC) met and discussed tree maintenance at VMP. The Recreation Commission (RC) would like to work in conjunction with the Environmental Commission on a proposal to provide handicap accessible trails at VMP. Three members of the EC will attend the August RC meeting to discuss the proposal and obtain further information.

Mayor Chammings reported she and Ms. Knott met with three representatives from CenturyLink and their discussion was productive. A plan was provided for addressing resident concerns and will be included as an announcement on the township webpage. The representatives drove throughout the township prior to the meeting and were amazed at the issues with both the trees and pole setting.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public.

Marcia Bradley, 913 Hillcrest Road, Stillwater CERT Coordinator reported five new members have completed their practical and 20 hours of work at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Mrs. Bradley has been working with Marjorie Strohsahl of the Vial of Life project, and she provided free packets to the public. The vial kits are used by residents to provide pertinent medical information to emergency responders including medications and conditions at a time when they cannot do so. Mrs. Bradley has obtained permission to open a cooling center at the Municipal Building during the hot weather.

Vera Rumsey, 956 Fairview Lake Road asked for an update on her request for increased patrols and monitoring of speeding and other issues in the township. Mr. Scott will follow-up with the Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Rumsey noted there have been several vehicle accidents and increase in DUIs; patrols are needed. Ms. Rumsey asked for an update on the Swartswood Firehouse acquisition, noting the property is becoming dilapidated. Mr. Bolcato felt the closing could be sometime next week and Mr. Scott stated until the township owns the property, maintenance issues cannot be addressed.

Terry Beshada, 1032 Stillwater Road stated there has been an increase in tractor trailer traffic on Stillwater Road and asked if there is a weight limit for the road and bridges. Mayor Chammings stated she contacted the County to inquire if a weight limit could be placed on the bridges, which are under their jurisdiction, and Engineer Koppenaal and Freeholder Herb Yardley indicated there could not. The Mayor also inquired about the Route 521 bridge and she was told we are on the list but it could be five years. Ms. Knott would research if weight limits are included in the ordinance for township roads. Ms. Beshada asked if there was a master plan for township road repairs. Mayor Chammings stated there is a five-year plan. Mr. Raff, DPW Supervisor and Mr. Vreeland, Township Engineer, are very diligent about managing the roads.

Andre Bratushchenkov and Sanita Redere, 903 Dove Island Road provided an update on the zoning/building issues they discussed with the Committee at their June meeting. They were concerned with the unprofessionalism, stating they were told by the Construction Official (CO) they would not need zoning and building permits for their above ground pool and he later contacted them indicating permits would be required. They met with the Construction Official a second time and they expressed concern with his lack of preparedness. Mr. Bratushchenkov stated the pool is 48” x 16’ and cost $250. After reviewing the information provided to them by the Building Department, they disputed the need for a permit. They also expressed concern with the permit fee amount and noted there is a difference between installation, construction and maintenance of a pool. Mr. Fisher, who is a licensed building/fire inspector, indicated permits would be necessary. Mr. Morrison suggested consulting with the Building Department and possibly with the State to resolve the matter. Ms. Redere stated only three pool permits were issued in June and there are many more pools in the town that should have paid an annual fee and did not. Mr. Fisher clarified that the annual pool inspection/fee they were referencing is required for public pools only, it has nothing to do with residential pools. Mr. Bratushchenkov questioned why a complaint made by them in 2016 was never addressed, yet the complaint about their pool was addressed immediately. They expressed concern with the Zoning Officer not addressing their complaints, the most recent one being the fence that was installed by their neighbor and its encroachment on their trees. They felt the Zoning Officer has been very misleading to them. Mr. Bratushchenkov and Ms. Redere noted their pool is not permanent. Mr. Fisher reiterated that the code changed to cover pools 24 inches and larger, requiring permits as it is a life safety issue. They also disputed the fees for zoning permits, noting the $30 fee is not included in the ordinance. The Committee would contact the State to provide a resolution to this matter within a week to 10 days, having a State inspector conduct an inspection. The Committee would also look into their complaints regarding township personnel.

There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed.

OLD BUSINESS:

Plymouth Lake Dam Repair:

The co-borrower agreement is being reviewed.

Land Sales:

The list is being reviewed by the DPW Supervisor. The Committee briefly discussed land sales vs. public auction of properties.

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION 2019-085
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SHARED SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX FOR PARTICIPATION
IN THE SUSSEX COUNTY E911 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

WHEREAS, the Township of Stillwater desires to enter into a Shared Services Agreement with the County of Sussex in order to participate in the Sussex County E911 Communication System for a term of five (5) years, commencing on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2024; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee is of the opinion that it is in the best interest of the residents of the Township of Stillwater to participate in the Sussex County E911 Communication System with the County of Sussex;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Stillwater, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, as follows:

1. Pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1, et seq., the Township Committee hereby adopts this Resolution authorizing the execution of the attached E911 Communication System Shared Services Agreement with the County of Sussex.

2. A copy of the Shared Services Agreement with the County of Sussex shall be kept on file with the Township Clerk and shall be available for public inspection.

3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. However, it shall be void and of no effect in the event that the County of Sussex fails or refuses to execute the Agreement.

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-085, seconded by Mr. Gross.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

RESOLUTION 2019-086
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDED
ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the Township of Stillwater entered into an Engineering Services Agreement with Michael G. Vreeland of Guerin & Vreeland Engineering, Inc. on January 2, 2019, appointing him as Township Engineer; and

WHEREAS, as of July 1, 2019, Michael G. Vreeland has now joined the firm Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC and would like to continue to serve as the Township Engineer; and

WHEREAS, an Amended Engineering Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2019, has now been presented by Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC to the Township Committee;

WHEREAS, Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC assumes full responsibility for performing all terms and conditions under the Amended Engineering Services Agreement, which replaces the agreement with Guerin & Vreeland Engineering, Inc., dated January 2, 2019.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee is of the opinion that it is in the best interest of the residents of the Township of Stillwater to enter into the Amended Engineering Services Agreement, retaining Mr. Vreeland as Township Engineer;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Amended Engineering Services Agreement between the Township of Stillwater and Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC is hereby approved and the Mayor and Township Clerk are authorized to execute the Amended Engineering Services Agreement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately, however it shall be void and of no effect in the event that Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC fails or refuses to sign the Agreement.

Mr. Fisher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-086, seconded by Mr. Morrison.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Energy Aggregation Program:

Representatives of the Sussex-Warren Area Energy Cooperative will be available at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building on August 20, 2019 to provide information on the program and answer any questions residents may have. The mailing will be going out shortly to residents providing information on the program and announcing the public sessions on August 20th.

Zoning Officer Letter to Mountain Shadows:

A memo was received from the Zoning Officer outlining the issues preventing the issuance of their annual campground license. There are four sites still in violation. If the violations are not addressed summonses will be issued by the Zoning Officer.

NJDOT Grant Applications:

Mr. Vreeland and Mr. Raff have recommended the following road project for the 2020 NJDOT grant application:

-Old Foundry Road (Phase I) from Mt. Benevolence Road – estimated cost of $294,150; the township will need to budget for approximately $95,000 of that cost under capital. Mayor Chammings asked for verbiage regarding the intersection at Five Points to be added to the application.

Open Public Session:

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed.

Attorney Report: No report.

There being no further business, Mr. Scott made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Gross at 8:50 p.m. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Wunder