March 20, 2018

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
March 20, 2018 –  Regular Meeting

A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor Chammings at 7:10 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: Deputy Mayor Morrison, Committeeman Gross, Committeeman Fisher, Committeeman 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 6:01 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

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. Fisher, seconded by Mr. Gross to conclude the Executive Session at 7:05 p.m., unanimously carried by roll call vote.

REGULAR SESSION:

CONSENT AGENDA:

ALL MATTERS LISTED BELOW ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE IN NATURE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THE ITEMS. IF ANY DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT PARTICULAR ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

Mr. Fisher made a motion to approve the following, seconded by Mr. Morrison:

MINUTES:

February 6, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes

March 6, 2018 Executive and Regular Meeting Minutes

RESOLUTIONS:

2018-042 Authorizing Payment of Lien Redemption – Block 1602, Lot 3.02

2018-043 Acceptance of the Resignation of Joseph Sugar as OEM Coordinator

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

RESOLUTION 2018-044

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION 2018-044

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF JOSEPH GERACI AND JUSTIN FRANCOMACARO AS DEPUTY OEM COORDINATORS WITH COMMITTEE CONCURRENCE

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the Township of

Stillwater they do hereby concur with the Mayor’s Appointments of Joseph Geraci and

Justin Francomacaro as Deputy OEM Coordinators effective March 20, 2018.

Mr. Fisher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-044, seconded by Mr. Scott:

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

REPORTS:

Mr. Scott made a motion to accept the following reports, seconded by Mr. Morrison:

Convenience Center Report – January/February 2018

SC Board of Health Report – January 2018

Tax Collector Report – January/February 2018

DPW Report – February 2018

Building Department – February 2018

QPA Report – February 2018

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

Zoning Officer Report – February 2018

Mr. Scott made a motion to accept the Zoning Officer Report for February 2018, seconded by Mr. Gross.

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

The Zoning Officer included a memo requesting the Committee consider clean up of a property in Crandon Lakes, funded by the township with a lien being placed against the property to cover the costs.

Attorney Bolcato indicated funds could not be used from the abandoned and vacant property registration revenue. Funding could be appropriated in the budget to address the issue. Mr. Bolcato would contact the Zoning Officer to discuss further and determine the statute jurisdiction. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of funding clean up and placing a lien on a property. Concerns were expressed with access to properties, as well as safety and liability issues. The Committee was favorable to levying fines against the owner and if not paid, a lien could then be placed on the property. Mr. Fisher felt the property should be cleaned up as there have been multiple complaints. He suggested allowing Mr. Bolcato and the Zoning Officer to discuss the matter and come to a suitable resolution. The Committee agreed.

BILLS LIST #5: $139,723.33

RESOLUTION 2018-045 PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-045, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

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

AMENDMENT TO AGENDA: Add Under New Business – Resolution 2018-049 Appointment of Paul Barta as a Class IV Planning Board Member

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:27 p.m.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:27 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCE 2018-02 Public Hearing and Adoption

TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER
ORDINANCE 2018-02

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY, AMENDING CHAPTER 22, JOINT MUNICIPAL COURT, OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

WHEREAS, the Township of Stillwater’s current Code Chapter 22, “Court, Joint Municipal” established a Joint Municipal Court known as the Municipal Court for Township of Wantage, Borough of Sussex and Township of Stillwater, as reflected in Township Ordinance No. 2011-5; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Joint Municipal Court have agreed to expand the Joint Municipal Court in order to add the Borough of Branchville; and

WHEREAS, the Stillwater Township Committee desires to amend Chapter 22-1 to establish the new Joint Municipal Court;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, Sussex County, New Jersey as follows:

Section 1 – Existing Chapter 22-1 is repealed in its entirety and replaced as follows:

22-1 Township to become member of Joint Municipal Court;

Upon the adoption of the requisite resolutions and ordinances by all participating municipalities, the execution of all required contracts and agreements and upon the termination of the Borough of Branchville’s current court agreement, the Township of Stillwater shall become a member of the Joint Municipal Court known as the “Joint Municipal Court of the Township of Wantage, the Borough of Sussex, the Township of Stillwater and the Borough of Branchville”

Section 2 – Summons

All summons issued from the Township of Stillwater shall be presented in the Joint Municipal Court on and after its effective date.

Section 3 – Conditions

This ordinance shall become effective upon the adoption of all required resolutions and ordinances and the execution of all agreements and contracts required to establish and implement the Joint Municipal Court by all municipalities participating in the Joint Court, and upon the termination of the Borough of Branchville’s current court agreement. In the event that any of the other participating municipalities, Wantage Township, Sussex Borough and/or Branchville Borough fail or refuse to adopt any ordinances and/or resolutions required to approve the Joint Municipal Court, and/or fail or refuse to execute all agreements and contracts required for the Joint Municipal Court, this ordinance shall be void and of no effect.

Section 4 – Repealer

All ordinances or parts of ordinances or resolutions inconsistent or in opposition to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed in their entirety.

Mr. Scott made a motion to open the meeting for public comment on Ordinance 2018-02, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

There being no one from the public wishing to comment, this portion of the meeting was closed.

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-02, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

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

NEW BUSINESS

2018 BUDGET: Introduction (Public Hearing and Adoption – April 3, 2018)

Resolution 2018-046 Introduction of the 2018 Municipal Budget

TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, COUNTY OF SUSSEX
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION 2018-046

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER INTRODUCING THE 2018 MUNICIPAL BUDGET

BE IT RESOLVED that the attached Statements of Revenues and Appropriations shall constitute the Municipal Budget for the 2018 calendar year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a Summary of said Budget shall be published in the Sunday Herald on April 1, 2018 and the public hearing and final adoption shall be held on April 17, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building at which time and place objections to the 2018 Municipal Budget may be presented by taxpayers or other persons of interest.

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-046, seconded by Mr. Gross.

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

ORDINANCE 2018-03: Introduction (Public Hearing and Adoption – April 17, 2018)

TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER

ORDINANCE 2018-03

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 240 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER (KNOWN AS “LAND DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE IX § 240-90 FEE SCHEDULE”) IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE FEES TO REFLECT THE COST EXPERIENCED BY THE PLANNING & ZONING BOARD IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

WHEREAS, the Stillwater Township Planning Board has reviewed Chapter 240, Article IX, “Fees & Deposits,” §240-90 Fee Schedule. and has determined that this section should be revised in order to establish fees which more accurately represent the costs experienced by the Planning & Zoning Boards in processing applications;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater that Chapter 240, Article IX, “Fees & Deposits,” §240-90. Fee Schedule, Sections A through M (sections N through Q to remain); be replaced § 240-91. C. be replaced in its entirety; § 240-91. J.(4) be removed in its entirety; and § 240-91. E. be replaced in its entirety. The sections shall be amended as follows:

Chapter 240. Land Development

Article IX. Fees and Deposit.

Replace § 240-90. Fee schedule, Sections A through M with: (sections N through Q to remain)

§240-90. Fee schedule.

Every application for development shall be accompanied by a check payable to the Township of Stillwater in accordance with the following schedule. For purposes of this Ordinance, the term “area being disturbed” means any area whereupon any activity involving the clearing, excavation, storing, grading, filling or transporting of soil will occur, or whereupon any other activity will occur which causes soil to be exposed to the danger or erosion, including the detachment or movement of soil or rock by water, wind, ice and/or gravity.

A.	Subdivision	Application Charge	Review Escrow
	a. Minor Subdivision	$250	$2,000 (Replenish at $1,000)
	b. Preliminary Major Sub	$500	$750/Lot $3,500/Maximum (Replenish at $1,500) $20,000 Maximum initial deposit
	c. Final Major Subdivision	$350	$250/Lot $3,500/Maximum (Replenish at $1,500) $10,000 Maximum initial deposit
	d. Concept Plan* 1. Minor Subdivision 2. Major Subdivision e. Amended Minor, Prelim., Major or Final Major	$150 $250 $200	$1,000 (Replenish at $500) $2,000 (Replenish at $1,000) $300/Lot $2,000/Maximum (Replenish at $1,000) $10,000 Maximum initial deposit
B.	Site Plan	Application Charge	Review Escrow
	a. Minor Site Plan	$250	$2,000 (Replenish at $1,000)
	b. Preliminary Major Site Plan	$250	$2,000/acre of disturbance $3,500 Minimum (Replenish at $1,500) $10,000 Maximum initial deposit
	c. Final Major Site Plan	$250	$1,000/acre of disturbance $2,500 Minimum (Replenish at $1,500) $10,000 Maximum Initial Deposit
	d. Concept Plan* 1. Minor Site Plan 2. Major Site Plan	$125 $125	$1,000 $2,000
	e. House Occupation	$150	$300
	f. Amended Minor, Prelim., Major or Final Major	$200	$2,000 Minimum (Replenish $1,500)

*Fee and escrows paid in connection with concept applications shall be credited toward the fee and escrows required for minor and major subdivision and minor and major site plan applications once submitted within one (1) year of the Board’s review of the concept plan.

C.	Variances	Application Charge	Review Escrow
	a. Appeals (40:55D-70a)	$100 Residential $200 Commercial/Industrial	$1,000 each
	b. Interpretation (40:55D-70c)	$100 Residential $200 Commercial/Industrial	$1,000 each
	c. Bulk (40:55D-70c)	$100 Residential $200 Commercial/Industrial	$1,000 each
	d. Use (40:55D-70d)	$200 Residential $500 Commercial/Industrial	$2,000
	e. Permit (40:50D-34 & 35)	$100 Residential $200 Commercial/Industrial	$1,000
	f. Unimproved Street (40:55D-36)	$100 Residential $200 Commercial/Industrial	$1,000

D.	Variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c(1) or (2) included in § 240-90. C. above.
E.	Variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d included in § 240-90. C. above.
F.	Variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-36 included in § 240-90. C. above.
G.	Conditional use application and escrow review fees included in § 240.90. C. above.
H.	Transcription fees. One hundred percent estimated costs at $4.50 per page. If estimated fees are insufficient, the person ordering the transcript shall pay the full actual cost to the Township.
I.	Revision fees for applications previously approved included in § 240.90. A. and B. above.
J.	For items not covered; $300.
K.	Special meeting fees: $1,000, or the actual cost to the Township of Stillwater, whichever is greater. The applicant shall deposit the sum of $1,000, with the Township at least five days in advance of the special meeting. Any balance owed shall be paid within seven days after the conclusion of the meeting.
L.	Zoning Permits [Amended 8-17-2004 by Ord. No. 2014-15]
		Zoning Permit Value	Fee	Late Fee
		Residential Additions and accessory structures
		Construction
		Up to $20,000	$30	$20
		Greater than $20,000 but less than $50,000	$40	$25
		Greater than $50,000	$50	$30
		New home	$75	$30
		Home occupation	$40	$20
		Commercial minor alterations, signs and accessory structures
		Up to $10,000	$40	$20
		Greater than $10,000 but less than $100,000	$75	$20
		Greater than $100,000	$100	$50
		Letters of certifications or approvals	$30
M.		Informal concept review N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10.1 (presentation limited to 45 minutes). Whenever the Planning Board shall grant informal review of concept plan for a development, the fee for such information review shall be a credit towards fees for review of the application for development in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10. An applicant desiring to have a concept plan or plat informally reviewed shall so notify the Planning Board Secretary, who shall place the matter on the agenda at the most convenient time for the Board.
		Minor plat: $300.
		Major plat: $500.

Replace § 240-91. C. in its entirety with:

C.	Escrow established by § 240-90.

Remove § 240-91 J.(4) in its entirety.

Replace § 240-91 E. in its entirely with:

All deposits for engineering, legal and other technical review fees shall be made prior to the performance of the professional services which the deposit is intended to cover. When an escrow account is reduced to the required amount identified in § 240-90, the applicant shall be required to replenish the account to not less than one hundred (100%) of the original amount required.

Mr. Scott made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2018-03, seconded by Mr. Gross

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

Resolution 2018-047:

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-047, seconded by Mr. Gross.

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

RESOLUTION 2018-047

RESOLUTION MAKING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR THE NEGLECT AND LACK MAINTENANCE OF PHONE AND CABLE LINES AND POLES AND REQUESTING THE PHONE AND CABLE COMPANIES VISIT STILLWATER TOWNSHIP TO INSPECT THEIR LINES AND POLES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE AND/OR INITIATE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

WHEREAS, Hurricane Irene in 2011, Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Winter Storm Riley in 2018 caused extensive damage to utility lines in Stillwater Township; and

WHEREAS, after each storm Jersey Central Power & Light has worked to clear downed trees in power lines and fix and replace telephone poles to restore power to municipalities; however, phone and cable companies are negligent and inattentive in clearing their lines after storms and many poles remain damaged, broken and leaning after storms and trees, tree limbs and branches remain in precarious and dangerous situations long after storm restoration; and

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of these storms, utility companies are called upon to review their procedures with regard to their vegetation management plans in the municipalities where they provide service in an effort to improve service and better serve the public; and

WHEREAS, for example, in the years following Superstorm Sandy, Jersey Central Power & Light reviewed and improved their vegetation management program realizing the program had been neglected for several years knowing trees are the leading cause of power outages. At least once every four years, power lines are inspected and plans are developed for the pruning, trimming, rounding and, if necessary, removal of trees; and

WHEREAS, in Stillwater Township we have phone (Centurylink) and cable (Service Electric) utility lines that are on utility poles which are separate from JCP & L utility poles and it has been several years since any vegetation management maintenance has been performed. In instances where phone and cable lines are on the same poles as power lines, the phone and cable companies can at times reap the benefit of the maintenance of the power company and neglect their responsibility to maintain vegetation on these poles; and

WHEREAS, there are phone and cable lines which have become overgrown with tree limbs and branches and phone and cable lines which have grown into and around limbs and branches and vegetation has been allowed to grow along and into the wires. When storms, no matter the season, strike Stillwater Township, these falling poles, trees, tree limbs and branches are the cause of service interruption. After motor vehicle accidents, damaged telephone poles are not repaired or removed and guide wires are not secured, leaving hanging and dangerous cables dangling along roadways. Currently in Stillwater Township there are broken poles, dangerous tree limbs and branches which lean on poles and wires and hang over the utility lines and into the roadway causing concern to Stillwater Township, their residents and motorists that travel through our township; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater submits this Resolution as a formal complaint to the Board of Public Utilities for the neglect and lack of maintenance of phone and cable lines and poles and urges the Board of Utilities to investigate this matter and require the phone and cable companies to inspect and maintain their utility lines and poles for the safety and welfare of our residents and motorists who travel our roads each day.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, hereby requests a representative of the phone company (Centurylink) and cable company (Service Electric) contact the Mayor of Stillwater Township and visit Stillwater Township in an effort to inspect these utility lines and poles and develop a plan for vegetation management.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the following: State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Centurylink; Service Electric; Senator Steven Oroho; Assemblyman Parker Space; Assemblyman Harold J. Wirths; Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Director Jonathan Rose; United States Congressman Josh Gottheimer; United States Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen; United States Senator Cory Booker; United States Senator Robert Menendez; Sussex County municipalities and Jackie Espinoza, JCP&L Regional Manager.

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

Mayor Chammings thanked Parker Space for his assistance addressing the CenturyLink issues in the township following the recent storm.

Resolution 2018-048:

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-048, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP,

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ

RESOLUTION 2018-048

RESOLUTION SEEKING REINSTATEMENT OF SECTION 7002 FEDERAL IMPACT AID FUNDING

WHEREAS, since 1950, Section 7002 Federal Impact Aid Funding is made available to school districts that have experienced a loss of 10% or more of its tax ratables due to the acquisition of taxable land for public use by the federal government since 1939 – funds that were promised to our community when the property was acquired by the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the Stillwater School and Kittatinny Regional High School have more than 18,000 acres of federally owned property within its district which was acquired by the federal government for the Tocks Island Dam Project and is now part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; and

WHEREAS, Section 7002 Federal Impact Aid Funding has been eliminated from the President Trump’s 2019 federal budget proposal; and

WHEREAS, Section 7002 Federal Impact Aid Funding is critical to our school district as the Stillwater School and Kittatinny Regional High School each receive approximately $350,000 in impact aid funding. It is extremely important to remember New Jersey law limits the increase in property taxes for local schools to 2% and the loss of Impact Aid cannot be made up by increasing local taxes without voter approval.

WHEREAS, the impact aid funds are used to pay for teachers, materials, equipment, computers, teacher training, etc., and elimination of these obligated federal funds would be devastating to our children, school district and community; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater requests the reinstatement of Section 7002 Federal Impact Aid Funding into the 2019 Federal Budget, without delay, through the support of the newest “Dear Colleague Letter in the House and Senate”, and opposition to attempts to re-purpose Impact Aid into Educational Savings Accounts, which have been introduced in S.2517 and H.R. 5199, and opposition to any attempt to create other similar voucher-type programs that threaten the Impact Aid program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to Impact Aid Program, Marilyn Hall, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20202; State of New Jersey, Department of Education, Rosalie Lamonte, PhD, Executive County Superintendent, 262 White Lake Road, Sparta, NJ 07871; Matthew Robinson, Superintendent, Stillwater School; Craig Hutcheson, Superintendent, Kittatinny Regional High School; Honorable Senator Cory A. Booker; Honorable Senator Robert Menendez; Honorable Congressman Josh Gottheimer; Honorable Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen; Honorable Steven V. Oroho; Honorable Parker Space; Honorable Harold J. Wirths; Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, ATTN: Director Jonathan Rose

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

Resolution 2018-049:

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION 2018-049

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF PAUL BARTA AS CLASS IV PLANNING BOARD MEMBER WITH COMMITTEE CONCURRENCE

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater they do hereby concur with the Mayor’s Appointment of Paul Barta as Class IV Planning Board Member effective April 1, 2018.

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-049, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Ms. Knott reported Mr. Vreeland met with Mr. Raff to review the Ridge Road plans. The project should be going to bid shortly.

Mr. Scott reported the Recreation Commission meeting was cancelled due to the inclement weather. The DPW addressed the hanging tree limb on Old Foundry Road and are in the process of trimming trees and brush.

Mayor Chammings reported she has filed preliminary damage assessment reports for the OEM, DPW and fire department. She will amend a report to include the Rescue Squad and will forward to Mark Vogel for acceptance. The Mayor also filed an assessment report for the March 6^th and 7^th storm for the DPW.

She asked the Clerk to send a thank you letter to Parker Space for his assistance with CenturyLink.

Mayor Chammings and Deputy Mayor Morrison attended the fire department installation dinner on March 10^th. She requested a letter of thanks to be sent to outgoing Chief Francomacaro. The Mayor congratulated Eric VanderHaeghen who was named as the new Fire Department Chief.

The Environmental Commission is in the process of obtaining quotes for a sign to be installed over the bridge at Veteran’s Memorial Park. A draft was previously displayed to the Committee. The amphibian crossing was held in early March, with little success.

The EC would like approval from the Committee to plant 100 trees along the passive side of VMP to help address the invasives. The Committee had no issue.

The Mayor attended a March 15^th Sussex County League of Municipalities meeting opioid panel. There have been nine deaths attributed to overdoses in Sussex County this year and five of those were in Newton. Newton Chief Richardson provided a presentation and it affects the County tremendously.

The Mayor reported the DPW installed millings in the driveway to the Recycling Center.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Statewide Insurance Fund 2018 Grant – Alarm System for Town Hall

The grant is for $1,571.55 and the Clerk would like to apply for the grant, funding to be used to purchaser an alarm system for the Municipal Building. The Committee agreed and authorized the Clerk to complete the grant application.

Open Public Session:

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

Ed Szabo, 978 Route 521 provided his experience with CenturyLink and going three weeks without internet and phone service before the storm. As a result of a letter to them, he was able to have his bill reduced. Mr. Szabo stated Assemblyman Parker Space was nominated and voted Legislator of the Year, quite an honor. Mr. Szabo attended a meeting at Space Farms with Mr. Space and provided information on his experience. The Mayor noted Mr. Space was extremely accommodating during and after the storm.

Jan Bonavita, 918 Dove Island Road thanked Mayor Chammings for her assistance during the power outages. She felt the phone company was difficult to work with and there is a wire at the State Park that still has not been addressed. Mrs. Bonavita commended the DPW for their work during the storm.

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

Attorney Report:

Joint Municipal Court Ordinance: Mr. Bolcato reported resolutions were adopted by all parties (Wantage, Sussex, Stillwater and Branchville) approving the agreement. It will take approximately six months to receive approval through Trenton and for Branchville to withdraw their existing court.

In Rem Foreclosures: Notice received from the County for complaint served. Next step is to conduct title searches.

SECTV Ordinance: Mr. Bolcato forwarded his comments to SECTV several months ago with no response to date; he will follow-up. Mayor Chammings reported SECTV collected $691,354 in gross subscriber fees to Stillwater in 2017; two percent franchise fee to the township was $13,827.

There being no further business, Mr. Scott made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Fisher. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Wunder