October 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

October 14, 2021

Regular Meeting Zoom Option: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81370542341

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Branagan(zoom), Mrs. Emmetts, Ms.Raff, Mr. Svendsen, Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Branagan(zoom), Ms. Kral

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Mr. Dvorsky

PUBLIC PRESENT: None

Mrs. Emmetts called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 taken.

Minutes

Mr. Svendsen made a motion to approve the minutes of 9/9/21, seconded by Ms. Raff.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Ms. Raff, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Ms. Kral, Yes, Mr. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Branagan abstain

Bills

Mr. Branagan made a motion to approve the following bills, pending availability of funds, seconded by Mrs. Branagan:

Secretary: $240.00, Mr. Branagan Mileage: $63.84 Total: $303.84

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Ms. Raff yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 7:10 p.m.

There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:10 p.m.

Correspondence:

Spotted Lanternfly– Crush them. Mr. Branagan stated it says crush eggs and presented an alternative way by putting water in a bottle to kill the eggs also.

Paulins Kill Fall Watershed Clean Up 10/23/21 –

Public Notice from NJDEP Frehwater General Permit 24 – Site Survey Saturday October 16, 10am 912 Poplar Terr. Mr. Branagan, Ms. Raff and Ms. Kral to meet at site. (See* below for discussion that took place)

Resignation of Secretary (effective 12/31/21) Motion by Ms. Raff to accept resignation with regret, seconded by Mr. Branagan.

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Ms. Raff, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes, Ms. Kral, yes.

*Discussion: Mr. Branagan stated he would like to see more members get involved, its disheartening that Mr. Dvorsky and Mr. Branagan are doing the majority of tasks, site surveys and participation. Mrs. Emmetts expressed her agreement. Mr. Svendsen also stated he agrees that Mr. Branagan does a majority of things, but felt the comment from Mr. Branagan was unfair. Mr. Svendsen stated he has offered multiple times and due to conflicts with schedules he was unable to. Mr. Branagan stated he understands people work and he has more time free being retired but would like to see more participation from members overall. As an example, Mr. Branagan mentioned the shed at Veterans needs to be repaired and he has started the process and would like help from others.

Old Business

• 2021 Beautification Project:

Mr. Branagan gave Zoning Officer Tom Dixon the folders Mrs. Fisher started prior to retirement, Mr. Branagan and Mr. Dvorsky will meet with Mr. Dixon and discuss the project. Sometime in November is recommended by Mayor Chammings due to Mr. Dixon trying to catch up on a few things.

• Fishing Line Collection:

Mr. Branagan collected fishing line. Mrs. Branagan dropped off to container at Townhall. Any/all fishing line is to be cleaned of litter/leaves, hooks and lead sinkers. Lead sinkers are to be provided at the meeting for recycling.

• Biochar approval by NJDEP and all Water Test Results which include Blair Creek below Fairview Lake / Watershed Fairview Lake concerning Biochar

John Neumann, Fairview Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation and Marc Koch, YMCA Executive Director provided an email from Dr. Robert Newby. The Biochar that was deployed is in 55 bags throughout the lake and streambeds.

EC members expressed further concern with the disposal of possibly hazardous material. Mr. Branagan stated he would research the matter and contact John and Marc to get Dr. Newby’s email. Mr. Svendsen stated Dr. Newby is not the proper contact in regards to disposal as he is a microbiologist and not part of waste disposal. Mrs. Emmetts expressed concern about reaching out to Mr. Neumann and Mr. Koch to have Biochar analyzed before making a broad statement that it can be sent back or put on a farm. Mrs. Branagan stated to send them a letter from the Environmental Commission stating “our” concern with disposal of Biochar before knowing results, the Biochar should be properly stored in the process.

Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to email Mr. Neumann and Mr. Koch requesting Biochar be properly stored and not disposed of until evaluated. Seconded by Mrs. Tracey

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Ms. Raff, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes, Ms. Kral, yes

Mrs. Gardner will type the letter and email to all EC members for alterations, if needed, then submit to Mr. Neumann and Mr. Koch.

New Business

• Environmental Commission/ Volunteer Recognition–

Mrs. Tracey and Mrs. Emmetts attended the COLA Meeting. Presentation by Nathaniel about Rain Gardens at schools. Water has been redirected with the parking lots put in. However, the Rain Gardens are not the solution to the problem at Swartswood Lake because is it too large. Mrs. Emmetts is working a grant with Rutgers to develop a Watershed Management Program.

Mr. Branagan for collecting fishing line at Veterans Memorial Park making repairs to shed. Mrs. Emmetts thanked Mr. Branagan.

• Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings

Mrs. Emmetts saw a Pileated Woodpecker, Mayor Chammings saw a Bob Cat leaving the Fox farm and crossing over to Volunteer Park.

• Budget (CFO recommends verifying Water Testing Company and Fees

Mrs. Emmetts mad a motion to approve adjusted Budget and submit to Township Committee for approval for 2022, Seconded by Mrs. Tracey

Roll Call Vote: Mrs. Branagan, yes, Mrs. Emmetts, yes, Ms. Raff, yes, Mr. Svendsen, yes, Mrs. Tracey, yes, Mr. Branagan, yes, Ms. Kral, yes

• Reminder to Renew Terms that expire in 2021- Jack Branagan and Greg Dvorsky

General Discussion:

Mr. Branagan stated August Minutes reflect Mr. Szabo requested to check fishing line receptacle or pass to someone on Ed Potters Property. Ms. Raff offered and Mr. Branagan will confirm with Ms. Raff at the next meeting.

Mr. Branagan requested the DPW to be notified to purchase Facia Board for the Recycling Shed at Veterans Field. (Mrs. Gardner did speak with Mr. Raff about visiting the Shed and purchasing new Facia Board and to inspect for any further repairs needed.)

At this point, this portion of the meeting was opened to the public at 8:00 p.m.

There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 8:00 p.m.

Planning Board Liaison Report: None Site Survey 992 Rt 521 last meeting cancelled no input at this time.

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings

-Discussion on 992 Fairview Lake Road lost cat on property, cameras put up. More mattresses dumped at location.

-Land sales Tax Roll 6 lots

-Paid off some Bonds, $15,000 Reimbursed for paving Old Foundry Road (asphalt and fuel lower than quoted)

-Request for change in Cannabis Ordinance- Presentation did not happen.

-Revamping Community Center Agreement

-Cleaning Company hired for Community Center

-2 Officers will be patrolling and monitoring roads

-Rec Halloween Decorating Contest

-Senior Activity Nights Nov 4 6-8pm Coffee and Conversation

-Fall Festival was a huge turnout (Brian Hendershot & Mayor Chammings were part of the last class in Stillwater school to tour the Grist Mill until the reopening for the Fall Festival. It was closed due to a Beetle Bug eating at structure making it unsafe.

-Ms. Kral shared photos with Historical Society

-Mayor Chammings had a write up on her in the Township Journal (Mentioned by Mrs. Emmetts)

With no further business to come before the Commission, Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m., seconded by Mrs. Branagan. In a voice vote, all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Alicia Gardner, Secretary