October 19, 2022 – Regular Meeting

Stillwater Township Planning Board

Minutes of October 19, 2022

The regular meeting of the Stillwater Township Planning Board was held at the Municipal Building.   The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pierce at 7:30 p.m. He announced that adequate notice of this meeting had been given to the public and the press under the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act”, N.J.S.A  10:4-1 et.seq.

Members Present:      Mr.   Barta

Ms.  Puccio

Mr.  Pierce

Mr.  Donofrio

Mr.  Venezia

Mr.  Scott

Absent:                    Mr. Branagan                    

     Also Present:          Attorney Haggerty

Engineer Golden

Planner Gable

MINUTES:

Mr. Barta made a motion to approve the minutes of September 21, 2022.  Motion seconded by Ms. Puccio.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Abstain                            Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Abstain

PUBLIC SESSION

Chairman Pierce opened the meeting up to the public at 7:32 p.m.  With there being no public comment, the meeting was closed to the public.

BILLS:                                       Dolan & Dolan

Re:   Nature Conservancy                  148.50

Re:   Nature Conservancy                  313.50

Re:   General                                      343.75

Re:   General                                      148.50

Van Cleef Engineering

Re:   Master Plan                             6146.25

Golden  

                               Re:   Nature Conservancy                  240.00

Re:   General                                      150.00

Mayor Scott made the motion to approve the bills, funds permitting.  Motion seconded by Mr. Donofrio.  Discussion on the motion:  The Board discussed the Van Cleef voucher as the Master Plan was not budgeted in the Planning Board Budget.  It was agreed that the approval of the vouchers, is contingent on funds permitted.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

   Public Hearing-Master Plan Reexamination-September 2022

   Elena Gabel, P.P. presented and summarized the Master Plan Reexamination Report at great length (the requirements of the Plan, the Goals and Objectives, issues identified in the last plan, changes on the local level, changes on the county level, changes on the state level, and the recommendations)  The Board thanked Ms. Gabel.

The hearing was opened to the public.  With there being no public comment, the hearing was closed to the public.

Mr. Donofrio made the motion to adopt the Master Plan Reexamination Report-September 2022.  Motion seconded by Ms. Puccio.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Mr. Barta asked what recommendations should be addressed first. Ms. Gabel recommended that the electric charging station ordinance and perhaps a Land Use Plan Element.

    #22-001   The Nature Conservancy,  B 3303, Lot 1

   Michael Hanifan, Esq. was present on behalf of the Applicant and he went on to give an overview of the proposed minor subdivision.

Tricia Aspinwall, Nature Conservancy Land Conservation Manager, and Mike  Shanahan, Nature Conservancy Land Protection Specialist, were both sworn in.  Mr. Shanhan reviewed the goal of conservation and no development.  He went on to review the proposal, the environmental aspects, Ridge and Valley ownership, and the plan for open space.  Mr. Golden commented on the subdivision and his recommendation for an easement.  He concluded by stating that he did not see a detriment to the proposal.   The Board and the Applicant continued to review the proposal and Mr. Haggerty stated that he will prepare the necessary language to address the septic.

The hearing was opened to the public.

Ann Briggs questioned the responsibility/liability/damage of hunting/trespassing, fallen trees.  Mr. Shanahan stated that hunting is not proposed and public access would be limited, as they want to protect the environmental aspects/features of the property, and the Briggs property does not have a common lot line with the Nature Conservancy property.

The hearing was then closed to the public.

Mr. Haggerty summarized the proposal (minor subdivision/variance) and the process.

Ms. Puccio made the motion to approve the proposal as presented and discussed this evening. Motion seconded by Mr. Pierce.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

     #22-001   The Nature Conservancy, Block 3302, Lot 3

   Michael Hanifan, Esq. was present on behalf of the Applicant and he went on to give an overview of the proposed minor subdivision.

Tricia Aspinwall, Nature Conservancy Land Conservancy Manager, and Mike Shanahan, Nature Conservancy Land Protection Specialist, were sworn in.  Mr. Shanahan stated that the property is vacant and they are proposing a small parking area with hiking trails.  He stated that they are not proposing any development at this time and he reviewed the beautiful trail.

The hearing was opened to the public.  With there being no public comment, the hearing was closed to the public.

Ms. Puccio made the motion to approve the proposal as presented and discussed this evening.  Motion seconded by Mr. Barta.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Barns/Family Farms/Commercial Farms

   Discussion Deferred             

    Budget for 2023

   Mr. Pierce stated that the Board  needs to make budget recommendations and the possible changes with Mr. Golden leaving at the end of the year and Ms. Schemm also retiring at the end of the year.  The Board thanked and congratulated Ms. Schemm and they discussed the Board Secretary position, the pros and cons of Planning Board/Zoning Board/Land Use Board.   The Board also thanked Mr. Golden and they discussed the Engineer RFP process/interviews and it was agreed to request a sample report for a simpler subdivision application and billing.  The Board discussed recommending            the same budget, subject to change.

Ms. Puccio made the motion to recommend the same budget, subject to change, if it is determined that the Professional fees are higher.  Motion seconded by Mr. Barta.

Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

Liaison Updates-Committee, Mayor, Board of Adjustment, and Environmental

Mr. Barta and Mayor Scott provided the Committee update, which was discussed with the Board: Tax Collector retiring and interviewing for the position, DPW resignation/hiring, road weight limits, sheriff patrols, noise complaints, camp ground complaints, foreclosure of properties, DPW drivers age/insurance, residency ordinance, trex recycling program, and filling the OEM position.

Ms. Schemm provided the Zoning Board of Adjustment update: hearings scheduled.

The Board discussed whether the November meeting needs to be held and perhaps moving the December meeting to December 7th to handle the interviews/regular agenda.

Mr. Pierce made the motion move the December meeting to December 7th.  Motion seconded by Mayor Scott.  Roll call vote:

Mr. Barta-Yes                                  Mr. Pierce-Yes

Mr. Scott-Yes                                   Mr. Venezia-Yes

Ms. Puccio-Yes                                Mr. Donofrio-Yes

The Board Secretary will request sample reports for minor subdivision/applications along with billing from the interviewing engineers.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 

The meeting was opened to the public.  With there being no public comment, the meeting was closed to the public.

ADJOURNMENT:

With there being no further business, there was a motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  In a voice vote, all were in favor at 9:22 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Alfia Schemm

Board Secretary

`11/15/22