March 10, 2025 REGULAR MEETING

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
March 10, 2025
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. Emmetts (Zoom), Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Dr. Mattes
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Branagan, Mr. Lippencott, Ms. Coriston

Vice-Chair Dr. Mattes called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 taken.

Minutes:
The minutes of 2/10/25 were tabled to the April 14th meeting due to the lack of eligible voting members present.

Mrs. Tracey made a motion to approve the minutes of 1/13/25, seconded by Mrs. Emmetts

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

Bills:
Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the following bill, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mrs. Tracey:
Secretary: $255.00

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

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:10 p.m.
There being no public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m.

Correspondence: None

Old Business:
40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024): Dr. Lippencott
Discussion was tabled until the 4/14/25 EC meeting. The EC is waiting for a quote from Minisink Press for three hard copies of the report for town hall, the EC and Dr. Lippencott.

TREX Program Update: Ms. Coriston
Ms. Coriston provided an email report as follows: 416 pounds of plastic film has been collected since December 1st, not including the large load from Mayor Chammings’ farm which will be weighed today.

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. Mr. Szabo reported on the NJDEP trout stocking program at Swartswood Lake that will be taking place
on four Thursdays during the month of April between 8:30-9 a.m. He asked if anyone is interested in participating to please let him know. Mr. Szabo described the procedure for transferring the fish from the hatchery truck to holding bins and then using a boat to distribute the fish from the bins throughout the lake. The process is usually completed by 10:30-11 a.m.

New Business:
Site Surveys:
Zoning Board Applications:
Block 3501, Lot 7.11 – Interpretation/Appeal
Block 3202, Lots 1/2 – Interpretation/Appeal

Mr. Szabo reported he and Mr. Branagan drove past both properties and determined there would be no EC involvement.

Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition:
-Ms. Coriston for the TREX program.
-Mr. Branagan/Mr. Szabo for the site surveys.

Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings: None
Mr. Szabo reported a Marten sighting in his yard at the lake’s edge. Dr. Mattes reported a cat sighting, too large to be a bobcat, with a long tail. Mr. Szabo noted a mountain lion has a black spot on the tip of its tail. The State will only accept a photo or footprint as proof of a sighting. Mayor Chammings reported the NJDEP is monitoring fisher cats in the area between the DPW and Recycling Center.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:26 p.m.
There being no members of the public present, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:26 p.m.

Mr. Szabo provided an article entitled, “California Gets a Climate Ballot,” – WSJ, 12/19/24. He also provided a book entitled, “Junk Raft, An Ocean Voyage and a Rising Tide of Activism to Fight Plastic Pollution.” He offered the book to those interested and it will be kept on file with Mrs. Wunder. A copy of the book’s cover will be emailed to the EC members along with the article. Dr. Mattes stated microplastics have been identified in human bloodstreams. He noted Japan has come up with a biodegradable plastic. Progress is being made but is still behind.

New Zoning Board Applications Requiring Site Surveys:
-Block 1102, Lot 25, 931 Plymouth Lake Drive
-Block 3306, Lot 1, 932 Saddleback Road

Mr. Szabo and Dr. Mattes volunteered to conduct the site survey inspections. Mr. Szabo will also contact Mr. Branagan.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
-A presentation was provided by Dan Freed, County Records Manager, on the ArcGIS System. In the past, County records were damaged by flooding. The records were sent out to be dried and now 5-7 years later all records have been scanned and are continually being updated. It was also noted a GPS system is now located in all County cars and DPW vehicles.
-The formation of a Land Use Board was discussed and the Planning Board was unanimously opposed to the idea.
-The Planning Board will be reviewing the parking ordinance, on-site and on the road.
-OSRP Presentation and Final Public Hearing will be held on 3/19/25.
-An Open Space Tax referendum will be on the ballot in the next election. Mr. Szabo asked if there would be a public meeting prior to the referendum, re: the pros and cons of the OS tax. Mayor Chammings stated there would be at the County level. She noted the referendum has a very detailed interpretive
statement explaining its purpose and has to be voted on every 10 years. The OSRP will spell out open space in the township. Mr. Szabo suggested having the Planning Board or Recreation Commission provide a presentation to the general public on the Open Space Tax referendum. Mayor Chammings noted
the public may attend the OSRP hearing at the Planning Board meeting on 3/19/25 and provide their comments. Mrs. Wunder will provide a copy of the Open Space Trust Fund ordinance established by the Township, including its purposes.
-The egg mass survey conducted by the State indicated spraying is needed this year.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
-A meeting for the Stillwater Bicentennial Celebration will be held on March 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. including the Historical Society, Recreation Commission, and Township Committee and is open to the public. The celebration will be held on June 7th and will begin on Main Street from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
followed by a parade to Veterans Memorial Park for the remainder of the festivities including vendors, music and fireworks.
-A Township Board of Health meeting will be scheduled to review the Board of Health ordinance.
-The Stillwater Fire Department Installation Dinner was held. New EMTs included Wade Barta and Kyle Kavanaugh. Liam McPeek completed firefighting school.
-A budget adjustment was necessary and the final 2025 Township Budget will be introduced next week at the 3/18 Township Committee meeting or the first meeting in April, 4/8/25.
-A temporary replacement for the Electrical Subcode/Inspector has been hired.
-Autumn Sylvester will attend an April Township Committee meeting to discuss the State Redevelopment
Plan.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m., seconded by Dr. Mattes. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________
Kathy Wunder, Secretary