May 6, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP RECREATION COMMISSION

The regular meeting of the Stillwater Township Recreation Commission was held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 7:10 pm at the Stillwater Municipal Building, Stillwater, NJ. The meeting was called to order by Commission Chairman David Manser with the Open Public Meetings Statement and the flag salute.

Members Present: Mrs. Delaney, Ms. Hess, Mr. Sylvester, Mr. Manser

Alternates Present: Mrs. Stark

Members Absent/Excused: Mrs. Connelly, Mrs. Degen, Mr. Reilly, Alternate Mrs. Davenport

In the absence of Mrs. Connelly, 1st Alternate, Mrs. Stark sat in.

MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Sylvester, second by Mr. Manser that the minutes from the April 1, 2019 meeting be approved. Motion carried with 1 abstention.

BILLS

The following bills were presented – New Fun Services (Stillwater Day DJ & entertainment) $5,150.00; Michele Hess – gift cards for 2017 winners $ 90.00; Clean Up Day teams – $3,600.00 for a total of $8,840.00. Motion by Ms. Hess, second by Mrs. Delaney to approve the bills. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

The letters were sent to the winners of the 2017 holiday decorating apologizing for the lateness and enclosing their gift cards. Misc. catalogs

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION – Agenda Items Only – 7:14 – none

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

SUB COMMITTEES

1. Clean Up Day – It was a great turnout. We had 12 teams (13 signed up but one didn’t show up) and they were back quickly. They collected 674 lbs of trash; 715 lbs of recyclables; approx, 900 lbs of shredding and a lot of tires (no total was supplied to me). Thanks to the commission members that showed up to work that day.

2. Stillwater Day – All are involved – Mrs. Delaney is working on the judges for the pageant. We need to get the signs out and get the ads on facebook, etc. We need to order the ad for the NJ Herald in coming events (this is free here). The applications are on facebook for the pageant and will be sent to the schools. Mr. Sylvester has the stage and tent ordered. New Fun Services (the DJ, entertainment and bounce houses) has been reserved. The fireworks are ordered. Rizzo’s Reptiles has been ordered. Mr. Sylvester is working on the talent show, the application is out and he needs judges. He will be working on that. Amanda sent in the list of vendors so far. She has 18 which is great. Set up times – US at 10:30 to get our tent set up and organized for the vendors who will be in about 12-1pm. Current Little Miss, Little Mr. and Miss Stillwater will all be there. Letter needs to be sent to the Sheriff for 2 officers, 3-4 lights, sign, LEAD car, dog, if available.

3. Garage Sale Weekend – Mrs. Delaney will do signs. We may need to order signs

4. Summer Camp – no report

5. County/State Fair – Mr. Sylvester will be working with the Historical Society again this year. The Fair contacted us and asked for theme suggestions. It was decided on “Top 5 Reasons to Live In (Stillwater)”. Each town will have their own reasons.

6. Decorating Contests (Halloween and Holiday) – no report

7. Tree Lighting – no report

8. Field Maintenance – The turf management program was approved and put in our budget. Mr. Sylvester will be in touch with Josh and Pinnacle Lawn care to set up the schedule. The brush on the baseball fence line has been taken care of by DPW and they are working on the trails. Mr. Sylvester mentioned that DPW did a great job and was in touch with Josh and they have some good ideas. Mr. Sylvester talked about the lighting at Veteran’s. Mr. Scott told him that the Clerk needs to contact JCPL & reactivate D.R. # 337054460 to look into the proposal for lighting. There was never an actual quote done. He spoke with Donna Cronin from JCP&L. There is a certain amount that they will absorb. There is no cost for them to move forward with them coming out to measure and look into the lighting. They will let us know if it is above or below the threshold. Hoping for something near the pavillion. Ms. Hess asked if we can look into lights at the flags. If we’re looking into the other, why can’t we look into the lights there, as well. Mr. Sylvester suggests getting the solar lights from Home Depot. It may be done in the future. The trees have been cut down at Stillwater Park and the bleachers are complete. Signs should be made for the fencing that say “No Ball Hitting”. We may need work between 2nd and 3rd base at Stillwater Park where it gets under water. Mr. Manser mentioned that we have clay on site and if we need more, there is some at Veteran’s Park as well. Mr. Choma said he can get the volunteers to spread it at Stillwater Park.

9. Playground – Ms. Hess spoke with our CFO and we don’t need to go out to bid as the company is a “State Contract” company. The Township Committee agreed that they want us to go with one company to do a full package deal. She spoke with Mrs. Fisher, the zoning officer, regarding wetlands, set backs, etc. We are all clear and don’t have anything to worry about. We will need a zoning permit but nothing else. Ms Hess is going to arrange a meeting with Scott Fenton from the playground company. Also, she is going to coordinate with the engineer (Mr. Vreeland) to get a section of the site map blown up for us. She would like to invite him to our meeting to present the plan for our approval.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Field Use Applications – none – Ms. Hess received an email from someone asking about girls soccer. She explained that the Rec. Commission doesn’t handle the teams and/or applications. She suggested that she call the schools and ask them if they know of anyone.

2. Green Acres – Mr. Sylvester spoke with the Mayor regarding the trails on the passive side and the handicap access. She indicated that the Environmental Commission is overworked with grant writing Mr. Sylvester suggested the preliminary proposal needs to be pursued and multiple grants applied for regarding handicap accessible trails. It would be beneficial if we worked collaboratively with the Environmental Commission, however, he shared that he believes they are not interested in pursuing this. It was also questioned as to who has oversight over all recreational facilities. It was mentioned that the Environmental Commission may have oversight over the passive side.

NEW BUSINESS

1. None

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION – 8:07pm – 8:13pm

Mr. Stark, 909 Twin Oaks Road. Mr. Stark was discussing that many years go (approx. 8) the tennis courts had a plywood backdrop for individual use of serving. It has since deteriorated and gone. He would like to see it replaced. It is 5/8″ green plywood with a white stripe in the middle placed at the same height as the net. It is the width of the court. Ms. Hess will ask the playground people if they have something for that. It is called a “tennis practice wall”. We will look into the pricing and see if it’s something in our budget. Perhaps we could use a composite material that wouldn’t deteriorate.

COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS

Mrs. Delaney asked about the flags at the fields. This has been addressed.

Mr. Sylvester mentioned that the annual Memorial Day service will be Monday, May 27 at 10:00am at Veteran’s Park. Looking for names of people who have served and passed for the roll call. He mentioned that the project on the front of the building looks great. The plaque is facing in. Ms Hess mentioned that it is facing the benches so you can reflect on it while sitting on the benches.

LIAISON REPORT

Things are progressing on the Swartswood building. They are just waiting for the attorneys. It is staying as a fire dept. The trucks at the town hall will be moved there. It will be the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Co., Swartswood Branch. Maybe will be able to get a large tree planted there.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

ADJOURNMENT

.

There being no further business, motion by Mrs. Delaney, second by Mr. Sylvester to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 pm. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Michele Hess

Secretary