May 19, 2020 Regular Meeting

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

May 19, 2020 – Regular Meeting

A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor Chammings at 7:06 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. Mayor Chammings added the meeting was being held virtually on Zoom and this meeting was also advertised with the link in the New Jersey Herald, the Stillwater Township website (www.stillwatertownshipnj.com) on the Stillwater Township Face Book page and other local Face Book pages.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 3:45 p.m.

After the reading of the following Resolution to enter into Executive Session, a motion was made by Mrs. Rumsey, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by roll call vote to adopt the resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 4:03 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. Morrison to conclude the Executive Session at 5:07 p.m., unanimously carried by roll call vote.

The meeting was then suspended until 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call was taken and the flag was saluted.

PRESENT: Committeeman Morrison, Committeewoman Rumsey, Committeeman Fisher, Deputy Mayor Scott, Mayor Chammings, Municipal Clerk Lynda Knott, Attorney Angelo Bolcato ABSENT: None

MINUTES: May 5, 2020 Regular Meetings Minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Scott to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Fisher. Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes Mayor Chammings, yes.

REPORTS: DPW Report of March and April 2020
Building Report of March and April 2020
QPA Report of March and April 2020
Fire Department Report YTD
EMS Report YTD

A motion was made by Mr. Fishert to accept the reports as presented, seconded by Mr. Scott. Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes Mayor Chammings, yes.

BILLS LIST #9: $752,850.36

RESOLUTION 2020-077 PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mr. Scott made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-077, funds permitting and pay bills list, seconded by Mr. Morrison.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mayor Chammings, yes

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Fisher, Mr. Morrison and Mr. Scott had no reports at this time.

Mrs. Rumsey reported she attended the Board of Education via Zoom. The school is working with parents and staff to get the Chromebooks back and personal items back to students. The School is also working on the sixth grade recognition program. The summer special education program will be done remotely – this may change but unlikely. The school is also looking for a gate for the main entrance.

Ms. Chammings reported the school is looking at June 15, 2020 for their virtual graduation and they have provided Ms. Chammings with a map of the route they will take for their drive-by procession. The school would like the fire department to participate if possible. Chief Sugar asked the time and Mayor Chammings said 9:00 a.m. Chief Sugar feels there will be members who will be able to participate for the graduation vehicle procession.

Mayor Chammings said there were 5 new cases of COVID-19 today and 2 new deaths. Mayor Chammings reported the Executive Orders from the Governor have begun to slowly allow re-opening of recreational activities such as horseback riding, golf and archery. Mr. Fisher noted doctors and dentists will soon be opening as well as automotive and motor cycle dealers.

Mayor Chammings said the Sussex County College grounds had 126 people come to be tested.

Mayor Chammings said CERT members have made approximately 600 masks and a couple of their members have been directing people at the drive up testing center at Sussex County College.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION:
There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed.

OLD BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE 2020-04 (Includes 2020-04A)

AN ORDINANCE FIXING SALARIES AND WAGES OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER, COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 2020

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

Section 1. The Township of Stillwater shall pay its municipal officers and employees for services rendered as shown below. Figures shown represent annual salary, unless otherwise noted.

POSITION

Township Committee Member $ 4,533.00
Township Clerk 69,003.00
Municipal Registrar 5,972.00 Principal Clerk Typist 52,434.00
Deputy Municipal Registrar 2,927.00
Receptionist $13.60 per hour
File Clerk – Effective 1/1/2020 $11.00 per hour
Chief Financial Officer 36,549.00
Finance Clerk $26.32 per hour
Clean Communities Coordinator – Stipend 1,000.00
Qualified Purchasing Agent – Stipend 3,000.00
Tax Assessor 32,454.00
Tax Collector 35.414.00
Tax Collector – Extra Hours $56.76 per hour
DPW Supervisor As per contract
Recycling Coordinator 1,798.00
DPW Laborers As per contract
Solid Waste Worker #1 $12.92 per hour
Solid Waste Worker #2 $11.47 per hour
Solid Waste Cashier $11.47 per hour
Recycling Worker #1 $12.92 per hour
Recycling Worker #2 $11.47 per hour

Zoning Officer 43,085.00
Construction Code Official 11,709.00
Plumbing Sub-code Official 9,277.00
Electrical Sub-code Official 9,095.00
Fire Sub-code Official 5,042.00
Smoke Detector Certifications $25.00 per Cert
Smoke Detector Re-Certifications $20.00 per Cert
Electrical Inspector/Subcode Official – Vacation Coverage $35.00 per hour
Emergency Mgmt Coordinator 1,391.00
Deputy Emergency Mgmt Coordinator 569.00
Animal Control Officer 9,127.00

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Zoning Board Secretary 6,971.00
Planning Board Secretary 6,971.00
Environmental Commission Secretary 2,797.00
Recreation Commission Secretary 2,150.00

Crossing Guard $13.78 per hour

Section 2. Specific salaries or wages established by this Ordinance shall be made retroactive to January 1, 2020 unless otherwise noted.

Section 3. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed as making mandatory the payment of annual salary increments to any officer or employees of the Township of Stillwater. Salary or wage increases shall be contingent upon availability of the funds.

Section 4. All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage according to law.

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Ordinance 2020-04 without the line for the Zoning Officer, seconded by Mr. Morrison.

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

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Ordinance 2020-04’s line for the Zoning Officer, seconded by Mrs. Rumsey.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, abstain, Mayor Chammings, yes

RESOLUTION 2020-078

WHEREAS, the Township Committee adopted Ordinance # 2020-004 on May 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater desires to set the specific salaries for full-time and part-time non-contract Township employees for the year 2020,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following salaries are retroactive to January 1, 2020 unless otherwise noted:

Lisa Chammings Mayor $ 4,533.00
George Scott Deputy Mayor 4,533.00
Vera Rumsey Committeewoman 4,533.00
William Morrison Committeeman 4,533.00
Timmy Lee Fisher Committeeman 4,533.00
Lynda Knott Township Clerk 69,003.00
Lynda Knott Municipal Registrar 5,972.00
Lynda Knott Q.P.A. Stipend 3,000.00 Kathy Wunder Principal Clerk Typist 52,434.00
Dawn Tighe Deputy Municipal Registrar 2,927.00
Dawn Tighe Receptionist $13.60 per hour
Kelsey Branagan File Clerk – Effect 1/1/20 $11.00 per hour
Dana Mooney Chief Financial Officer 36,549.00
Tammy Leonard Finance Clerk $26.32 per hour
Tammy Leonard Clean Communities Coordinator 1,000.00
Gisela Rutnik Tax Collector 35,414.00
Gisela Rutnik Tax Collector – Extra Hours $56.76 per hour
Penny Holenstein Tax Assessor 32,454.00

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Jeffrey Gardner Recycling Coordinator 1,798.00
William (Andy) Martin Solid Waste Worker #1 $12.92 per hour
Louis Zack Solid Waste Cashier #2 $11.47 per hour
David Bell Recycling Worker #2 $11.47 per hour
Frank Rooney Recycling Worker #2 $11.47 per hour

CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT
Arlene Fisher Zoning/Code Enforcement Official $ 43,085.00
Richard Bizik Construction Code Official 11,709.00
Robert Huber Plumbing Sub-code Official 9,277.00
Patrick Murphy Electrical Sub-code Official 9,095.00
Walter Van Kirk Fire Sub-code Official 5,042.00
Richard Bizik Smoke Detector Certifications $25.00 per Cert
Richard Bizik Smoke Detector Re-Certifications $20.00 per Cert

PUBLIC SAFETY
Elizabeth Diorio Crossing Guard $13.78 per hour
Robert Wolff Deputy Emergency Mgmt Coordinator 569.00
Alan DeCarolis Animal Control Officer 9,127.00

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Alfia Schemm Zoning Board Secretary 6,971.00
Alfia Schemm Planning Board Secretary 6,971.00
Kathy Wunder Environmental Commission Secretary 2,797.00
Michele Hess Recreation Commission Secretary 2,150.00

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-078 without the line for the Zoning Officer, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

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

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-078 for the Zoning Officer, seconded by Mrs. Rumsey.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, abstain, Mayor Chammings, yes

NEW BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION 2020-079

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TAX COLLECTOR TO ISSUE ESTIMATED 3RD QUARTER TAX BILLS

WHEREAS, in light of the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the State delayed the adoption of the State Fiscal Year 2021 Budget to September 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, THE Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) cannot certify State Aid allocations to municipal budgets until State Aid Appropriations are known; and

WHEREAS, although the Township of Stillwater 2020 Municipal Budget has been adopted, the DLGS cannot approve municipal budgets and the Sussex County Board of Taxation cannot certify the 2020 Tax rates until long after the June 30, 2020 deadline to process third quarter tax bills due August 1, 2020; and

WHEREAS, without a 2020 Certified Tax Rate, the Tax Collector cannot process the final 2020 Tax Levy and will be unable to mail the 2020 tax bills on a timely basis; and

WHEREAS, the DLGS “strongly recommends” under Local Finance Notice 2020-07 “that municipalities prepare to issue estimated property tax bills for 2020:” and

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 54:4-66.3 allows the Tax Collector in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer to compute and certify an estimated tax levy, summarizing the tax levies for the previous year, the tax rates and estimated tax levies for the 2020 calendar year;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater as follows:

  1. The Tax Collector is hereby authorized and directed to prepare and issue estimated tax bills for the Third (3rd) installment of 2020 taxes. The Tax Collector shall proceed and take such actions as permitted and required by N.J.S.A. 54:4-66.2 and 54:4-66.3.
  2. The estimated calendar year tax levy for 2020 is hereby calculated at $13,007,175.95. The estimated tax rate will be 3.198%.
  3. In accordance with New Jersey Statutes, the third quarterly installment of 2020 taxes shall not be subject to interest until the later of August 10, 2020 or the Twenty-fifth (25) calendar day After the date the estimated tax bills were mailed. The estimated tax bills shall contain a notice specifying the date on which interest may begin to accrue.

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-079, seconded by Mr. Morrison.

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

RESOLUTION 2020-080

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF ANNUAL CAMPGROUND LICENSE

WHEREAS, The Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, pursuant to the authority vested In it by an act of Legislature, has heretofore by ordinance, provided for campgrounds in the Township of Stillwater; and

WHEREAS, the following named Campground holder has filed an application for the license renewal, passed inspections and all fees have been paid.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following campground license be granted renewal for the period of May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021.

LICENSEE

North Shore House

Mountain Shadows Lake Association

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Clerk is hereby authorized to issue the License herein granted, the same effective as provided by Law.

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-080, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

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

RESOLUTION 2020-081

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A DONATION TO THE
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN
ORDER TO PURCHASE GIFTS FOR THE 6TH GRADE GRADUATES

WHEREAS, the Stillwater Township Committee received a request from Alicia Gardner at the Stillwater Township Elementary School, seeking a donation from the Township in order for the school to purchase calculators and/or personalized towels for the 6th grade graduates; and

WHEREAS, the Township has received similar requests from the school in prior years and the Township has made donations for the graduation events; and

WHEREAS, the Township’s Chief Financial Officer has certified that sufficient funds are available for this expenditure.

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

1. That a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to the Stillwater Township Elementary School for calculators for the 6th grade graduates is hereby approved.

2. A copy of this Resolution shall be placed on file with the Clerk of the Township of Stillwater.

3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this resolution.

Mr. Scott made a motion to Adopt Resolution 2020-081, seconded by Mr. Fisher.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor

Chammings, yes

Mayor Chammings made a Motion to have Labor Attorney Howard Vex initiate a Memorandum of Agreement giving Acting DPW Supervisor Joshua Raff a salary adjustment of $10,000 commencing June 1, 2020 to Teamsters Local 124 for ratification, seconded by Mrs. Rumsey.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor

Chammings, yes

DISCUSSION ITEMS:


Re-opening Town Hall: Mayor Chammings reported she has been working with Laddy Clark & Ryan LLP on a Pandemic Response/Return-To-Work Policy and earlier at the Executive Session distributed it to the Township Committee members to review. Mayor Chammings asked her colleagues for their thoughts on the document. Mr. Morrison said other than the schedule the Mayor had worked on with the employees he felt it was good guidance for the employees. Mrs. Rumsey expressed her concern that employees would not sign the acknowledgement because some of the employees had refused to sign the employee handbook acknowledgment. Mayor Chammings noted that was discussed in the policy. Mayor Chammings said the Governor’s emergency order expires on June 9, 2020 and she wanted to be ready should he allow things to return to a more normal routine.

Mr. Morrison made a Motion to adopt the Pandemic Response/Return-To-Work Policy, seconded by Mrs. Rumsey.

Roll Call Vote: Ms. Rumsey, yes, Mr. Morrison, yes, Mr. Scott, yes, Mr. Fisher, yes, Mayor

Chammings, yes

Mayor Chammings noted the policy must be amended for the DPW and Recycling Center employees.

Mayor Chammings also reported that an employee must be appointed to be the COVID-19 contact person who will receive the daily health log from co-workers. The employees will be assigned a number instead of using their name so HIPPA laws will be followed. Mayor Chammings feels Mrs. Wunder should be the designee because she already keeps employee sick and vacation time. Mr. Bolcato said the HIPPA laws require the heath logs be kept locked separately from personnel files. The Clerk suggested having a locked box similar to the township committee mailboxes so the forms would be secure. The Township Committee members agreed. Mayor Chammings said a sign in book is also required to keep a record off all visitors. This book would be a tool in contract tracing should someone positive with the COVID-19 virus enter the building.

By Appointment Policy for Residents: as the building re-opens to the public there will be an appointment policy to meet with individual employees. Town Hall is not a large building so this step is necessary to maintain social distancing. In addition to the Building/Zoning Department area and Reception area the Meeting Room will be available to meet with residents. Mayor Chammings reported the DPW Supervisor will be installing white decorative chains in doorways to let residents know where designated employees only areas are located. Mayor Chammings also noted she has received a lot of signage she is having laminated to put up inside and outside of the public buildings.

Outside Bulletin Board: Mayor Chammings asked the Clerk her needs for an outdoor bulletin board. The Clerk said it would be very useful especially if the building is not open to the public for her to post the required notices for public view in paper form. The Clerk noted she already posts the notices on the official website for residents. An outside bulletin board would be helpful for residents who need to pick up things keeping them safe and dry. The Clerk will look into outside bulletin boards that will fit to the right of the meeting room door.

Laptops: Mr. Morrison has been looking into laptops for employee use when they are working at home. Mr. Morrison will ask Angela Saylor from MSI to give the Township a quote for laptops, docking stations and VPN software for each station. After the proposal is received Mr. Morrison would like to further discuss who would get the laptops if the functionality of their position was they were able to work from home.

Re-opening of Recreational Fields and Community Center: Mayor Chammings reported the Township should be prepared for recreation fields and the community center to re-open by addressing safety measures. On recent phone calls with the Governor’s office discussions were being held as to the guidelines to reopen safely. Mayor Chammings believes the Township should begin looking at sanitation stations and/or other measures to keep the public safe so we can be ready when the time comes to re-open. Mayor Chammings said these measures are COVID-19 related and may be grant eligible once purchased.

Mrs. Rumsey asked if the office door at the Community Center could be fixed prior to the Community Center re-opening and if the signage could be ordered for the front of the building. The Clerk will now get the additional quotes required before a purchase order could be issued for the new signs.

D. Benedetto property sale: Mr. Bolcato reported Ms. Benedetto purchased an under-sized lot adjacent to her property in February. Ms. Benedetto would like to keep this lot separate from her lot and agreed to sign a no-construction agreement. Mr. Bolcato told Ms. Benedetto he would have to bring her request to the Township Committee. Mr. Morrison noted it is past precedent to merge the properties. The Township Committee agreed and said that is how they would like the sales to remain. Mr. Bolcato will correspond with Ms. Benedetto letting her know the Committee’s decision.

Mayor Chammings reminded everyone that the Memorial Day Service would be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2020 at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

PUBLIC SESSION:
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION:
There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed.

ATTORNEY REPORT: Mr. Bolcato did not have anything further to report.

There being no further business, Mrs. Rumsey made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Scott at 8:26 p.m. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynda Knott, Township Clerk

 

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