May 1, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
May 1, 2018-Regular Meeting
A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor Chammings at 7:00 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.
PRESENT: Committeeman Gross, Deputy Mayor Morrison, Committeeman Scott, Mayor Chammings, Committeeman Fisher, Municipal Clerk Lynda Knott and Township Attorney Angelo Bolcato.
Regular Session:
The Flag was saluted.
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.
MINUTES: April 3, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
RESOLUTIONS: 2018-062 Authorizing Payment of Redemption Block 3401 Lot 21
2018-063 Opposing NJDOT Route 80 Rock Mitigation Project
2018-064 Requesting an Exemption for Stillwater Township from the Requirement to Appoint a Principal Public Works Manager
Mayor Chammings pulled the April 3, 2018 minutes from the consent agenda because Mr. Fisher was absent from that meeting and the minutes were voted on separately. Mr. Scott made a motion to approve the April 3, 2018 minutes, seconded by Mr. Morrison. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes; Mr. Morrison, yes; Mr. Scott, yes; Mr. Fisher, abstained; Mayor Chammings, yes.
Mr. Scott made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Mr. Fisher.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
Attorney Bolcato passed out Executive Session Minutes to Mr. Gross, Mr. Scott and Mayor Chammings to read. Mr. Scott made a motion to approve the Executive Session Minutes, seconded by Mr. Gross.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, abstained, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, abstained, Mayor Chammings, yes. Mr. Bolcato collected the copies of the Executive Session Minutes.
BILLS LIST #8 $895,099.49
RESOLUTION 2018-065 PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-065, seconded by Mr.Fisher.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None
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.
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 2018-03 Introduction Public Hearing and Adoption
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.
|
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| 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.
|
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| 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.
Mayor Chammings opened the meeting to the public to speak about this ordinance. Seeing no one wishing to comment the meeting was closed to the public. There was no further discussion from the Township Committee.
Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-03, seconded by Mr. Morrison.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 2018-05 – Introduction [Public Hearing and Adoption May 15, 2018]
CAPITAL ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $151,000 FOR
PURPOSES AUTHORIZED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY
THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, AS FOLLOWS;
Section 1. The several improvements described in Section 3 of this capital ordinance are hereby respectively authorized as general improvements to be made or acquired by the Township of Stillwater, New Jersey. For the said several improvements or purposes stated in said Section 3, there are hereby appropriated the respective sums of money therein stated as the appropriations made for said improvements or purposes, said sums being inclusive of all appropriations heretofore made therefore and amounting in the aggregate to $151,000, which has heretofore been set aside for the improvements or purposes stated in Section 3 and now available therefore by virtue of provision in a previously adopted budget or budgets of the Township for capital improvement purposes.
Section 2. For the financing of said improvements or purposes and to meet the part of said $151,000.00 appropriations, the Township will use $131,000.00 from the General Capital Improvement Fund, and $20,000.00 from the Open Space Trust Fund.
Section 3. The improvements hereby authorized and the several purposes for the allocation of which said obligations are to be spent, the appropriation made for an estimated cost of each such purpose, and the estimated maximum amount of funds to be spent for each such purpose, are respectively as follows:
General Administration:
Purchase of Meeting Room Chairs and a new
Telecommunications System, including all related
Equipment and installation services $ 12,500.00 General C.I.F.
Emergency Services Departments:
Helmets, Pagers & Toughbooks for First Aid Squad,
Hi Band Pagers, Transmitter Increase at Site 1606,
Receiver Site, Scott Masks & SCBA Bottles for
Fire Dept $ 82,900.00 General C.I.F.
Public Works Equipment:
Generator, Entry Door and Garage Doors for DPW
Building, Fuel Tanks and Gas Pump $ 27,800.00 General C.I.F.
Building & Grounds:
Alarm system for Town Hall $ 2,800.00 General C.I.F.
Recreation:
Playground Phase I – Veteran’s Park $ 20,000.00 Open Space Trust
Parking Lot Phase I – Veteran’s Park $ 5,000.00 General C.I.F.
All the aforestated improvements or purposes where applicable, are in accordance with specifications on file in the office of the Township Clerk, which specifications are hereby approved.
Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby determined, declared, recited and stated:
The said purposes described in Section 3 of this capital ordinance are capital expenses and are each a property or improvement which the Township may lawfully acquire or make as a general improvement, and no part of the cost thereof has been or shall be specifically assessed on property specially benefited thereby.
The average period of usefulness of said purposes within the limitations of said Local bond Law and taking into consideration the respective amounts of the said obligations authorized for the several purposes, according to the reasonable life thereof computed by this capital ordinance, is five (5) years.
Section 5. The capital budget or temporary capital budget of the Township is hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this ordinance to the extent of any inconsistency herewith and the resolutions promulgated by the Local Finance Board showing all detail of the amended capital budget or temporary capital budget and capital program as approved by the Director, Division of Local Government Services, are on file with the Township Clerk and are available for public inspection.
Section 6. This capital ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days after the publication thereof after final adoption.
Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-05, seconded by Mr. Fisher.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
ORDINANCE 2018-06 – Introduction[Public Hearing and Adoption May 15, 2018]
BOND ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $694,100, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $526,317 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP, FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS OR PURPOSES AUTHORIZED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY (not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof affirmatively concurring), AS FOLLOWS:
(a) The several improvements described in Section 3 of this bond ordinance are hereby respectively authorized as general improvements to be made or acquired by The Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey. For the said several improvements or purposes stated in said Section 3, there are hereby appropriated the respective sums of money therein stated as the appropriations made for said improvements or purposes, said sums, except as described in paragraph (c) of said Section 3, being inclusive of all appropriations heretofore made therefor and amounting in the aggregate to $694,100 including the aggregate sum of $27,783 as the several down payments for said improvements or purposes required by law and more particularly described in said Section 3 and now available therefor by virtue of provision in a previously adopted budget or budgets of the Township for down payment or for capital improvement purposes and including also, in the case of the improvement or purpose described in paragraph (b) of said Section 3, the sum of $140,000 received or expected to be received by the Township from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as a grant-in-aid of financing said improvement or purpose.
(b) For the financing of said improvements or purposes and to meet the part of said $694,100 appropriations not provided for by application hereunder of said down payments and grant, negotiable bonds of the Township are hereby authorized to be issued in the principal amount of $526,317 pursuant to the Local Bond Law of New Jersey. In anticipation of the issuance of said bonds and to temporarily finance said improvements or purposes, negotiable notes of the Township in a principal amount not exceeding $526,317 are hereby authorized to be issued pursuant to and within the limitations prescribed by said Local Bond Law.
(c) The improvements hereby authorized and the several purposes for the financing of which said obligations are to be issued, the appropriation made for and estimated cost of each such purpose, and the estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued for each such purpose, are respectively as follows:
| IMPROVEMENT OR PURPOSE | APPROPRIATION AND ESTIMATED COST |
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF BONDS AND NOTES |
| (a) Acquisition, by purchase, of new and additional vehicular equipment for use by the Department of Public Works of the Township, including one (1) truck, together with all appurtenances, apparatus and accessories necessary therefor or incidental thereto, all as shown on and in accordance with the specifications therefor on file or to be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and hereby approved | 181,000 | 171,950 |
| (b) Improvement of West End Drive in and by the Township by the construction or reconstruction therein of a roadway pavement at least equal in useful life or durability to a roadway pavement of Class B construction (as used or referred to in Section 40A:2-22 of said Local Bond Law), together with all sidewalks, curbing, structures, appurtenances, milling, drainage improvements, equipment, work and materials necessary therefor or incidental thereto, all as shown on and in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor on file or to be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and hereby approved, the $225,000 appropriation hereby made therefor being inclusive of the amount of $140,000 received or expected to be received by the Township from the New Jersey Department of Transportation as a grant-in-aid of financing said improvement |
225,000 |
80,750 |
| (c) Improvement of Old Schoolhouse Road in and by the Township by the construction or reconstruction therein of a roadway pavement at least equal in useful life or durability to a roadway pavement of Class B construction (as such term is used or referred to in Section 40A:2-22 of said Local Bond Law), including all structures, appurtenances, milling, curb and sidewalk reconstruction, drainage improvements, retaining walls, equipment, work and materials necessary therefor or incidental thereto, all as shown on and in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor on file or to be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and hereby approved, the $98,000 hereby appropriated therefor being exclusive of amounts heretofore appropriated therefor by ordinance #2016-007 of the Township | 98,000 | 93,022 |
| (d) Improvement of various roads and locations in and by the Township by the construction or reconstruction therein of roadway pavements at least equal in useful life or durability to a roadway pavement of Class B construction (as such term is used or referred to in Section 40A:2-22 of said Local Bond Law) including, without limitation, the Five Points intersection, together with all structures, appurtenances, milling, curb and sidewalk reconstruction, drainage improvements, retaining walls, equipment, work and materials necessary therefor or incidental thereto, all as shown on and in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor on file or to be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and hereby approved | 170,100 | 161,595 |
| (e) Improvement of Stillwater Park in and by the Township, including rehabilitation of the driveway, pathways and the roof on the shed, together with all landscaping, equipment, site work, work and materials necessary therefor or incidental thereto, all as shown on and in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor on file or to be filed in the office of the Township Clerk | 20,000 | 19,000 |
| Totals | $694,100 | $526,317 |
Except as otherwise stated in paragraph (b) above with respect to the said $140,000 grant-in-aid of financing the purpose described in said paragraph, the excess of the appropriation made for each of the improvements or purposes aforesaid over the estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued therefor, as above stated, is the amount of the said down payment for said purpose.
(d) The following additional matters are hereby determined, declared, recited and stated:
1. The said purposes described in Section 3 of this bond ordinance are not current expenses and each is a property or improvement which the Township may lawfully acquire or make as a general improvement, and no part of the cost thereof has been or shall be specially assessed on property specially benefited thereby.
2. The average period of usefulness of said purposes within the limitations of said Local Bond Law and taking into consideration the respective amounts of the said obligations authorized for the several purposes, according to the reasonable life thereof computed from the date of the said bonds authorized by this bond ordinance, is 8.54 years.
3. The supplemental debt statement required by said Local Bond Law has been duly made and filed in the office of the Township Clerk and a complete executed duplicate thereof has been filed in the office of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey, and such statement shows that the gross debt of the Township as defined in said Local Bond Law is increased by the authorization of the bonds and notes provided for in this bond ordinance by $526,317, and the said obligations authorized by this bond ordinance will be within all debt limitations prescribed by said Local Bond Law.
4. Amounts not exceeding $70,000 in the aggregate for interest on said obligations, costs of issuing said obligations, engineering costs and other items of expense listed in and permitted under Section 40A:2-20 of said Local Bond Law may be included as part of the costs of said improvements and are included in the foregoing estimate thereof.
(e) The funds from time to time received by the Township on account of the $140,000 grant referred to in Section 1 of this bond ordinance shall be used for financing the improvements or purposes described in paragraph (b) of Section 3 of this bond ordinance by application thereof either to direct payment of the costs of said improvements or purposes, or to payment or reduction of the authorization of the obligations of the Township authorized therefor by this bond ordinance. Any such funds so received may, and all such funds so received which are not required for direct payment of the costs of said improvements or purposes shall, be held and applied by the Township as funds applicable only to the payment of obligations of the Township authorized by this bond ordinance.
(f) All bond anticipation notes issued hereunder shall mature at such times as may be determined by the Chief Financial Officer, provided that no note shall mature later than one year from its date. The notes shall bear interest at such rate or rates and be in such form as may be determined by the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall determine all matters in connection with the notes issued pursuant to this bond ordinance, and the Chief Financial Officer’s signature upon the notes shall be conclusive evidence as to all such determinations. All notes issued hereunder may be renewed from time to time subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:2-8. The Chief Financial Officer is hereby authorized to sell part or all of the notes from time to time at public or private sale and to deliver them to the purchasers thereof upon receipt of payment of the purchase price plus accrued interest from their dates to the dates of delivery thereof. The Chief Financial Officer is directed to report in writing to the governing body of the Township at the meeting next succeeding the date when any sale or delivery of the notes pursuant to this bond ordinance is made. Such report must include the principal amount, interest rate and maturities of the notes sold, the price obtained and the name of the purchaser.
(g) The full faith and credit of the Township are hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the said obligations authorized by this bond ordinance. Said obligations shall be direct, unlimited obligations of the Township, and the Township shall be obligated to levy ad valorem taxes upon all the taxable property within the Township for the payment of said obligations and interest thereon without limitation of rate or amount.
(h) The capital budget or temporary capital budget of the Township is hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this ordinance to the extent of any inconsistency herewith and the resolutions promulgated by the Local Finance Board showing all detail of the amended capital budget or temporary capital budget and capital program as approved by the Director, Division of Local Government Services, are on file with the Township Clerk and are available for public inspection.
(i) This bond ordinance shall take effect twenty (20) days after the first publication thereof after final adoption, as provided by said Local Bond Law.
Mr. Fisher made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-06, seconded by Mr. Gross.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
Attorney’s Report:
Mr. Bolcato reported on the progress of the In Rem Foreclosure properties. The list of properties was posted at Town Hall, the Stillwater School, Lakeland Bank and advertised in the New Jersey Herald.
Mr. Bolcato said he had spoken to SECTV’s attorney and SECTV and CenturyLink will be working together to put together a maintenance program to maintain their polls and lines .
Discussion Items:
Land Sales: The Clerk made a copy of the tax maps and has giving Mr. Morrison the maps and correspondence from property owners who either want to purchase lots or donate lots back to the Township for his review.
Verizon nodes: Mayor Chammings said the Planning Board had a discussion regarding the nodes with little positive comments aside from better cell service especially because the nodes produce background noise. Mayor Chammings said she had just received a packet of information on the nodes for discussion at the Sussex County Planning Board and she would report back to the Township Committee and residents after that County meeting.
Mayor Chammings noted she was approached at her home about how bad high-band radios work. Mayor Chammings asked Chris Oswin, a member of both the EMS and SAVFCO his opinion of the radios. Mr. Oswin said the departments are striving for the radio systems to work well in our area. He said the low-band radios are only used as a backup. Mr. Oswin also said the high-band radios are working much better now since the repeater was installed at the DPW building.
DPW Position:
Approximately twelve applications were received for the full-time DPW position. Josh Raff and George Scott will interview six candidates and the final three will be interviewed by the entire committee on May 15, 2018.
Request for Support: Mayor Chammings said the Clerk received a letter asking for support for the State Highway 23 and Gingerbread Castle Road Improvement project from the Borough of Hamburg. The Township Committee agreed to put the resolution on the May 15, 2018 agenda.
Outdoor Public Event Application:
Mayor Chammings stated an outdoor public event application was received from Deb D’Anne for Sunday May 27, 2018 from 2 to 8 p.m. Mr. Scott questioned how many people would be involved and parking arrangements. The Clerk said it would be less than 100 people. Mayor Chammings said the town hall parking lot would be used for overflow parking. Mr. Scott made a motion to accept the event application, seconded by Mr. Gross. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Gross, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes
The Clerk asked that the Fireworks application be discussed. Mr. Bolcato had given the Clerk a list of his concerns. The Clerk said all of Mr. Bolcato’s concerns had been addressed exempt for the fact the Township Committee should decide whether the Township would have a rain date for the fireworks if they could not be used on Stillwater Day for fifteen percent (15%) more than the $3700 contract. Mr. Scott said the Recreation Commission meets on May 7th and would decide on a rain date for the fireworks. All members of the Township Committee were in agreement on creating a rain date.
Open Public Session:
Mrs. Kathy Draghi, 1016 Route 619, Stillwater said she knows that the Swartswood Fire Department property is in arrears with their property taxes for approximately $14,000 and questioned that in light of the former Chief and Treasurer being arrested and charged with mishandling funds could the Township speed up the process of trying to take back the building and recoup some of the donated funds. Mayor Chammings said that the Township Committee would be going into Executive Session to discuss the events with the Municipal Attorney. Mr. Scott said the Township Committee is also concerned but their hands are tied and they must wait to find out what has happened. Mrs. Draghi stated she remembered the night of the vote to not recognize Swartswood Volunteer Fire Department and it was three to two in favor with some members wanting to give them a second chance. Mayor Chammings said there are six counts levied against Mrs. Richardson and the Prosecutors’ Office is following up and she had received a call yesterday about 4:30 p.m. with information of what had occurred. Mayor Chammings noted all she could confirm was that the tanker in the former Swartswood Fire Department building was going back to Hampton this week. Mayor Chammings said the Township has cooperated with the Prosecutors’ office and all documentation was requested by subpoena.
Mr. Bert Bodensieck, 905 Five Points Lane, Stillwater asked what is happening with the Five Points Intersection. Mr. Fisher said the Municipal Engineer has the verbal evaluation from the traffic study and the Township Committee should have the written proposal by the May 15, 2018 meeting.
There being no other members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed 8:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
After the reading of the following Resolution to enter into Executive Session, a motion was made by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by roll call vote to adopt the resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 8:01 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:
- The public shall be excluded from that portion of this meeting.
- The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: Personnel,
- 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 8:07 p.m., unanimously carried by roll call vote.
The Township Committee resumed the regular session. A motion was made by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by roll call vote to suspend Tami Richardson and Anthony Ashley from their positions on the Recreation Commission pending the outcome of the charges against them.
There being no further business, Mr. Scott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m., seconded by Mr. Fisher. In a voice vote, all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynda Knott, Township Clerk
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