STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
May 11, 2026
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan, Dr. Mattes, Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Ms. Kral, Ms. Coriston
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Lippencott and Mrs. Emmetts
ALSO PRESENT: Committeewoman Lisa Chammings
Ms. Coriston called the meeting to order at 7:04 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: Ms. Coriston made a motion to approve the minutes of 4/13/2026, seconded by Mrs. Tracey.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan; yes, Dr. Mattes; yes, Mr. Szabo; yes, Mrs. Tracey; yes, Ms. Coriston; yes
Bills: Ms. Coriston 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, 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 7:06pm.
Mr. Branagan mentioned that Greg Dvorsky had contacted him regarding an ordinance proposed by the Township Committee for the manufacturing and cultivation of cannabis. The ordinance was introduced at the April 21st Township Committee meeting. Ms. Chammings stated the public should attend the Township Committee meeting for more information. Ms. Coriston asked for the discussion to be moved to Ms. Chammings’ report as the public session was not the appropriate forum.
There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:12pm.
Correspondence:
– 4/23/2026 Email from L. Chammings: SC Open Space Meeting (Zoom) – EC Trail Presentation by M. Coriston
– 4/23/2026 Email from V. Ingles: Township Committee Resolution of Support for the Trail Grant Application
– 4/28/2026 Email from Tara Mezzanotte: Establishment of Knowlton EC and Green Team
– 4/28/2026 Email from Tara Mezzanotte: Re-Establishment of Knowlton EC meeting agenda for 5/19/2026
– 5/11/2026 CFO: Approved 2026 EC Budget
Old Business:
2026 Sussex County Trails Grant Program – Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) Trail Improvement:
Ms. Coriston reported she provided the EC Trail Grant Presentation at the last SC Open Space Committee meeting. it began with a few technical difficulties but went very smoothly after that. There were no questions from the Committee following the presentation. Ms. Chammings had stepped down from the Open Space Committee during the presentation, which she composed and Ms. Coriston added to. The application deadline is May 15, 2026 and was submitted through the Municipal Clerk, who will be contacted should the Open Space Committee have any questions following their review. The next Open Space meeting is May 21st and Engineering/Planning will review the application for completeness. The application will then be reviewed for compliance with the 5 conditions and final decisions will be made. The total cost of the proposed EC Trail Project is $18,447. Dr. Mattes offered his mulching machine as needed for invasive removal.
EC Discussion – Future Guest Speakers/Presentations:
Ms. Coriston reported that both Steve Mariconda/Dark Sky and Mike VanClef/Strike Team are interested in scheduling a presentation. Strike Team could do so in-person, Dark Sky would be offered via Zoom.
Email Report – Dr. Lippencott:
Surface water sampling this fall, as noted in the minutes, is not recommended. Our window of opportunity for the recommended sampling we had discussed for July to align with stormwater permitting requirements is fast evaporating. We may be able to salvage if we can meet with engineer in May. If that doesn’t happen we should explore other options for 2027, but waiting a year may weaken our negotiating position regarding the NJDEP stormwater permit. He is available anytime to discuss further if needed.
Ms. Chammings stated the NJDEP has been working very well with the town and they inspected the DPW yard in April. There are a few requirements that need to be addressed including inlet and outlet mapping, all storm drain covers need to be replaced and made bicycle safe, and the fuel tanks at the DPW need to be replaced at a cost of $100,000. The Engineer would like to continue to work with NJDEP at this point to comply with mandates. She suggested waiting until 2027 to hold a meeting with the engineer.
Mr. Szabo asked about acquiring insurance to protect the Township should the NJDEP change its requirements in the future. He spoke about his experience with underground oil tank abandonment and he offered the information he has available to those who are interested. Dr. Mattes mentioned his experience with the rehabilitation of a dam located on his property and strict regulations imposed by NJDEP with lack of support.
Ms. Chammings noted the Township will be cautious as they proceed. She felt the timing was not right for a discussion with the NJDEP at this time and she would like to continue moving forward with the process. She suggested holding off the stream water testing until 2027 in conjunction with a stormwater discussion at that time.
Cellco Verizon Wireless (Fredon):
The application was carried to June 18, 2026.
TREX Program Update:
Ms. Coriston reported she met with Ms. Ciccolella and School Superintendent Dr. Papa to discuss the discontinued acceptance of plastic film at Weis. Over 330 pounds were dropped off at Kohls, which will also be stopping collection in the near future. TREX provided a list of direct distribution center for disposal. Parsippany is the closest and may be an option for long-term. If a good relationship can be built with them, drop-off may only be required once monthly. 460 pounds have been collected through April.
Fishing Line Collection:
Mr. Szabo reported the Trout Stocking at Swartswood Lake has been completed. Mr. Branagan provided his line collection and noted he trimmed the area around his receptacles. Dr. Mattes reinstalled the receptacles and tag box at Veterans Park.
Miscellaneous:
Mr. Branagan referenced the SCMUA flyer and noted plastic containers to be recycled include #1, #2, and #5, all others are considered trash. Bottle caps and rings are to be removed. Ms. Kral reported Andover Township is very close to blocking the proposed data center. Ms. Chammings stated their Committee introduced an ordinance to do so, and it must be voted on again to become final. Ms. Kral noted the noise issue generated by the data centers as well as a cell tower generator.
New Business:
Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition:
– Ms. Coriston and Ms. Chammings for the TREX Program.
– EC Members for checking the fishing receptacles, Mr. Branagan for trimming around receptacles, and Dr. Mattes for reinstalling the receptacle and tag box at Veterans Park.
Endangered/Threatened Species Sighting:
– None reported. Other sightings include bear, fox, and eagles.
Rutgers Climate Change Symposium:
– Ms. Coriston requested to attend the symposium on June 10th in Piscataway at a cost of $100. She noted they do not accept purchase orders so she will pay for the program and ask to be reimbursed along with mileage. The symposium is a one-day conference with keynote speaker and research presented by Rutgers to address climate change and includes four workshops.
Mr. Szabo asked if both sides of the climate change debate would be presented. If so, he asked that Ms. Coriston bring that information back to the EC. Dr. Mattess asked the EC to be cautious and not let our guard down with respect to climate change. Ms. Kral stated she would be interested in any information provided on reforestation.
At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:57pm. There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:57pm.
Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Committeewoman Chammings
– Ms. Chammings reported a lot line adjustment application for Ridge Road was approved.
Township Liaison Report: Committeewoman Chammings
– The Zoning Board meeting had quite a crowd attend their April meeting expressing their concerns with an AirBnB located in Plymouth Lake Community. Plymouth Lake will need to address the matter by adjusting their bylaws.
– Tammy Horsefield, President of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, attended the Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings to discuss an AirBnB Ordinance and to provide direction.
– The Township Committee discussed a cannabis ordinance that will be site specific for potential Class I and Class II manufacturer/cultivator. Only one license can be issued in the municipality to a microbusiness no larger than 2500 square feet with no more than 10 employees. The ordinance was introduced by the Township Committee and may be up for public hearing/2nd reading at their meeting on 5/19/2026, following Planning Board review. She noted the ordinance would permit an existing medical marijuana business that has been in Stillwater for 7 years to expand. At this point, Dr. Mattes stated the business is located on his property and he is licensed by the State to grow CBD. He would like to expand the business to sell to local shops and needs township approval to do so due to a change in the State Law. Ms. Chammings noted the CBD is medical and not recreational. She briefly reviewed the proposed ordinance stating there is a $5,000 application fee and Planning and Zoning Board approval is required, bringing $10,000 in revenue to the Township. Two percent of the sales revenue would return to the Township. The ordinance was introduced and passed with a 3-2 vote.
– The 2026 Municipal Budget was adopted on 5/5/2026 with a $63 municipal tax increase per $200,00 assessment and overall tax increase of $214 per $200,000 assessment.
– Tax Assessor Penny Holenstein is retiring. Interviews were held and a replacement will be hired shortly.
– Electrical Inspector Andy Simonis has retired and Justin Ott was hired to replace him.
– DPW employee Nick Sugar has resigned, a new DPW mechanic/truck driver will be hired.
– A land sale of 40 properties will be held for contiguous owners. 3 properties were removed from the list as they are buildable lots.
– A flyer from the Historical Society will be included in the tax bill mailing. They are in need of donations to repair the Grist Mill and assist the State.
– Phase 4 and 5 of Mt. Benevolence road improvements will be completed by the end of the summer.
– A $96,000 discharge grant was awarded for 992 Fairview Lake Road property.
– Sheriff’s Department patrols were approved for Stillwater.
– Biggest budget costs are health benefits which increased 38%; DPW roads and vehicles; and employee salaries.
– Arbor Day was 4/24/2026. Ms. Chammings provided a survey link for anyone interested. Complete the survey and receive 10 trees.
With no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Szabo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m., seconded by Ms. Coriston. In a voice vote, all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wunder, Secretary
