May 12, 2025 REGULAR MEETING

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
May 12, 2025
Regular Meeting
In-Person/Zoom

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Branagan, Dr. Lippencott, Dr. Mattes Mr. Szabo, Mrs. Tracey, Ms. Coriston

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mrs. Emmetts

Chairperson Coriston called the meeting to order at 7:05 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: Mr. Branagan made a motion to approve the minutes of 4/14/25, seconded by Ms. Coriston.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Dr. Lippencott, 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 Mr. Branagan:
Secretary: $274.00

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Dr. Lippencott, 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 7:10 p.m.
There being no one from the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m.

Correspondence:
– 2025 Approved EC Budget

– Stillwater School Energy Audit Survey: The EC viewed a video presentation by the Citizen Scientist 6th grade students. Ms. Coriston will forward the video link to the EC and a thank you letter will be forwarded to the program coordinator Laura Ciccollela.

– Articles Submitted by E. Szabo:
WSJ – 2/10/25 – “New Jersey Reaps the Wind, Again”
WSJ – 4/26/25 – “Newsom Has a Gasoline Awakening”
WSJ – 4/26/25 – “When the Wind Didn’t Blow in Germany”

Old Business:
– 40-Year Surface Water Quality Report (1984-2024):
The EC reviewed the press release drafted by Ms. Coriston. She asked for quotes from Mr. Branagan and/or Mr. Szabo on the value of the report and also for information such as the number of years the testing has been conducted. Dr. Lippencott will also provide a quote. Mr. Branagan has been conducting the stream water testing since 1984. The EC agreed to set a public presentation date of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 10 p.m. at the Community Center. The session will introduce the report’s findings and recommendations. Neighboring Environmental Commissions, organizations, lake associations, Foodshed Alliance, etc. will be invited to attend. Ms. Coriston will work on a flyer for the event and information will be posted on the township website and at town hall. The EC discussed providing the presentation in conjunction with another event. It was determined this could be done in the future for an organization that may be interested in having the presentation at one of their meetings. Dr. Lippencott suggested providing the presentation at the YMCA Environmental Education Center. Mayor Chammings will contact Mark Koch to discuss further. The press release will be provided to ANJEC, Strauss News/Township Journal and other media outlets. Ms. Coriston will provide the final draft to Mrs. Wunder on Wednesday to be distributed to the EC for their review. Any comments must be received back no later than 5/9/25. Dr. Lippencott noted the water report links provided on the township website are split into two sections: one main report and the other the appendices. He will work on combining the two into one link and will send it by Google link to the Deputy Clerk to post on the website. Dr. Lippencott referred to the budget line item for water testing and asked the EC to consider testing E Coli, alkalinity, temperature and ph during the summer for all locations. There is an opportunity to get a data set during the summer months. Mrs. Tracey stated she can provide weekly E Coli reports from Paulinskill Lake for two beaches, one on each side of the lake. Water testing in the summer will be further discussed at the June EC meeting and added to the agenda.

TREX Program Update: 
Ms. Coriston reported 601 pounds have been collected to date and the collection will continue through the summer. She checks the receptacles up to three times per week, noting the collection at the Recycling Center is not utilized. It will be the fourth full cycle at the end of this year.

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 Paradise Fishing Club contest results. (Attached to Minutes)

New Business:
Bicentennial Celebration: June 7, 2025
The EC agreed to participate in the celebration and will have a table set up from 12:30-5:30 p.m. A copy of Dr. Lippencott’s report will be displayed with a flyer including the presentation information. Mr. Branagan will have the link for his book available and will display animal skulls as a guessing game as to which animal they belong to. Citizen Leadership forms will be available to try and fill the two vacant Alternate Member positions. Other ideas were offered and Mrs. Wunder will put together some information on recycling, stormwater management, Annual Report 2024, Meeting Dates 2025, Ash Borer, Spotted Lanternfly, etc. Mr. Szabo offered to be at the EC table for two hours and will provide information on the Paradise Fishing Club. Further ideas were discussed and EC members were asked to contact Ms. Coriston or Mrs. Wunder if they would be able to volunteer an hour or so at the table.

Site Survey Applications:
The Zoning and Planning Board Secretary Penny Bair will now forward a copy of all board applications requiring site surveys to the EC by email, including screenshots of any maps or plans that cannot be scanned. This will allow Dr. Lippencott to review them digitally before visiting the property. Hard copies will also be provided and kept in the EC box at town hall.

Site Surveys:
Zoning Board Application:
Block 4202, Lot 10, 936 Cedar Drive

Application to construct an addition to an existing garage and to replace and expand an existing deck. Dr. Lippencott made a motion to accept the site survey, seconded by Ms. Coriston.

Roll Call Vote: Mr. Branagan, yes, Dr. Lippencott, yes, Dr. Mattes, yes, Mr. Szabo, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Coriston, yes

Environmental Commission Volunteer Recognition:
– Ms. Coriston for the TREX program.

– Mr. Branagan/Mr. Szabo/Dr. Lippencott for the site survey inspections.

– Mr. Szabo commended Dr. Lippencott on the McCain Lane site survey visit, noting it was well done and receiving it electronically was an asset.

Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings: None

Shad Sightings:
Mr. Szabo spoke about the removal of dams along the Paulinskill River (Paulina and Columbia) resulting in open waters. He and Dr. Lippencott had the pleasure of seeing over 200 Shad just below the dam at Keen’s Mill over the weekend. Dr. Lippencott showed several photos of the Shad. Mrs. Tracey noted there were many spotted at the base of the Paulinskill Lake dam last summer. The EC felt this was encouraging news for the area.

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:35 p.m:

– Abighaile Looney spoke about the skull game previously discussed at the meeting and suggested having a guessing game matching an endangered species to its description. Ms. Coriston and Abighaile will work on the game for the EC table at the Bicentennial Celebration.

There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:38 p.m.

Planning Board (PB) Liaison Report: Dr. Lippencott
April Meeting
-Barbara Fornari was sworn in as a Planning Board member.
-An application for a lot line adjustment on Old Schoolhouse Road was approved.
-Jessica Caldwell, P.P., provided a presentation on the Fair Share Housing Report. The lack of a water system in the township lessens the number of units required. Eleven units will be required over the next ten years. Mr. Branagan asked about the location of the units and if Old Schoolhouse would be considered as in the past. Mayor Chammings stated Habitat for Humanity will construct the first unit and has been in contact with the township regarding a township lot. There is also a two-family home in Swartswood that may be utilized to meet two units. There are different ways of fulfilling the obligation.
-The Planning Board will review the State Redevelopment Plan for inconsistencies.
-The public hearing for the Open Space and Recreation Plan will be held at the Planning Board meeting on 5/21/25. Dr. Lippencott briefly spoke on connecting Greenways and the difficulty in doing so as many of the properties are privately owned.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings
-Fifteen township owned properties will be offered for sale to contiguous property owners on 6/24/25 at 10 a.m. at the town hall. The list will be available on the township website.
-Gypsy Moth spraying is set for next week pending the weather. Information including the map of spraying areas will be available on the township website.
-There will be fireworks at the North Shore House on 5/30/25 for a wedding. A permit was required and obtained.
-Mayor Chammings displayed a banner for the Bicentennial Celebration. She commended the Historical Society for designing and funding the cost of the banners. She thanked Phyllis McGeehan for her work on
the banner and Eric Hornung for the Township Seal, as well as Andover Signs for printing them. The banners will line the roads along the parade route and other areas. There will be 20 artisans on Main Street, a parade from Main Street to Veterans Memorial Park, an re-enactment of the signing of the separation of Stillwater from Green and Hardwick Township will take place on the lawn of White Hall. One large banner will also hang across Main Street.

Miscellaneous Items:
Dr. Lippencott reported he and his grandkids stocked trout with Mr. Szabo in Swartswood Lake on Thursday. Dr. Lippencott stated the website boards and commissions page needs updating with respect to members names. He suggested placing the Shad photos on the website, dated May 11, 2025.

With no further business to come before the Commission, Dr. Lippencott made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m., seconded by Ms. Coriston. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Wunder, Secretary