STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor L. Chammings at 7:01 p.m. Mayor L. Chammings stated that this meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of P.L. 1975, Ch. 231, Secs. 4 & 13 the Sunshine Law and that adequate notice of the meeting has been published in the New Jersey Herald as to the time, place, and date of meetings, and is posted in the usual location of posted notices in the municipal building as well as electronically on the township website.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser, Committeewoman D. Delaney, Committeewoman V. Rumsey, Committeeman G. Scott (via Zoom) and Mayor L. Chammings
Also Present: Township Attorney E. Bernstein
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor L. Chammings led the Flag Salute.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
There were no amendments to the agenda.
PUBLIC SESSION (Agenda Items Only – 3 Minute Time Limit)
PUBLIC SESSION OPEN. At 7:03pm
Township resident K. Draghi stated that she had a question on Resolution 2024-122 for the new DPW employee. She asked if there were any protocols with hiring a previous employee depending on how they left things? She asked if the Township Committee thought that was something that they should have in place. Mayor L. Chammings stated that they don’t have anything stating that a previous employee can’t be hired back and that it’s part of the interview process deciding if they would still be a good candidate for the job.
PUBLIC SESSION CLOSED. At 7:05pm
OLD BUSINESS:
PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ADOPTION
ORDINANCE 2024-12
CAPITAL ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $173,167.00
FOR OVERLAY PAVING OF MIDDLEVILLE ROAD
(HYDEAWAY RESTAURANT TO DPW GARAGE)
BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Stillwater, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, AS FOLLOWS;
Section 1. The improvements described in Section 3 of this capital ordinance are hereby respectively authorized as general improvements to be made or acquired by the Township of Stillwater, New Jersey. For the said improvements or purposes stated in said Section 3, there are hereby appropriated the respective sums of money therein stated as the appropriations made for said improvements or purposes, said sums being inclusive of all appropriations heretofore made therefore and amounting in the aggregate to $173,167.00 which has heretofore been set aside for the improvement of purpose stated in Section 3 and now available therefore by virtue of provision in a previously adopted budget or budgets of the Township for capital improvement purposes.
Section 2. For the financing of said improvements or purposes and to meet the part of said $173,167.00 appropriations, the Township will use funding as described in Section 3.
Section 3. The improvements hereby authorized and the purpose for the allocation of which said obligations are to be spent, the appropriation made for an estimated cost of such purpose, and the estimated maximum amount of funds to be spent for such purpose, are respectively as follows:
Overlay Paving of Middleville Road: $1,417.43 Ord 2019-05: Asphalt Overlay
$70,872.06 Ord 2019-05: West End Phase 2-HC
$7,660.02 Ord 2019-05: West End Phase 2-SC
$93,217.49 Ord 2022-07: Mt. Bene Phase 1-HC
The aforestated improvements or purposes where applicable, are in accordance with specifications on file in the office of the Township Clerk, which specifications are hereby approved.
Section 4. The following additional matters are hereby determined, declared, recited and stated:
(a) The said purposes described in Section 3 of this capital ordinance are capital expenses and are each a property or improvement which the Township may lawfully acquire or make as a general improvement, and no part of the cost thereof has been or shall be specifically assessed on property specially benefited thereby.
(b) The average period of usefulness of said purposes within the limitations of said Local Bond Law and taking into consideration the respective amounts of the said obligations authorized for the several purposes, according to the reasonable life thereof computed by this capital ordinance, is twenty (20) years.
Section 5. This capital ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days after the first publication thereof after final adoption, as provided by said Local Bond Law.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeewoman D. Delaney, to open the discussion on Ordinance 2024-12 to the public.
No Public Comment.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, to close the discussion on Ordinance 2024-12 to the public.
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeewoman V. Rumsey to adopt Ordinance 2024-12.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
No New Business.
CONSENT AGENDA – All items with an Asterisk (*) are considered to be routine
and non-controversial in nature. All such items will be handled by one (1) motion and one (1) second and one (1) vote. There will be no separate discussion of any of these items unless a Committee member requests same, in which case the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
*MINUTES: September 17, 2024 Regular & Executive Meeting Minutes
*CORRESPONDENCE:
- Stillwater Township Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes: August 5, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes & August 12, 2024 Workshop Meeting Minutes
- Stillwater Township Environmental Commission September 9, 2024 Meeting Agenda & August 12, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- Stillwater Township Planning Board September 18, 2024 Meeting Agenda
- 2024 Sussex County Resurfacing Program Schedule
- Sussex County Community College Letter of Intent to Purchase Stillwater Township 2003 Pierce Pumper
*REPORTS:
1. OPRA Report- August 2024
2. Recreation Commission Report – August 2024
3. Board of Health Receipts –August 2024
4. Construction Permit Activity Report August 2024
5. Vacant/Abandon Property Registration Report – August 2024
6. Convenience Center Report – August 2024
7. Registrar Report – August 2024
8. Certified Copies Report – August 2024
9. ACO Report – August 2024
10. Landlord Registration Fees- August 2024
11. DPW Monthly Report- August 2024
12. Solicitor’s Permit Report- August 2024
13. Sussex County Division of Health Inspection Report- August 2024
14. Zoning Officer Report- July & August 2024
*RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION 2024-109A NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF LOCAL AID AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD STATE AID PROJECT
RESOLUTION 2024-119 RESOLUTION TO AWARD CONTRACT FOR THE
PAVING OF VARIOUS TOWNSHIP PARKING LOTS
RESOLUTION 2024-120 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A DONATION TO THE STILLWATER SCHOOL 6TH GRADE GRADUATION COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION 2024-121 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF LARRY SHAROV AS A PART-TIME RECYCLING/SOLID WASTE ATTENDANT
RESOLUTION 2024-122 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT FULL TIME DPW LABORER
RESOLUTION 2024-123 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSE RA-2024-04 & RA-2024-05 TO KITTATINNY MIDGET FOOTBALL & CHEER INC.
RESOLUTION 2024-124 RESOLUTION RESCINDING THE BOAT HOUSE LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS
RESOLUTION 2024-125 A RESOLUTION FOR THE BOAT HOUSE RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL 2022-2023 WITH 12.18 RULING
RESOLUTION 2024-126 RESOLUTION FOR THE BOAT HOUSE RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL 2023-2024
RESOLUTION 2024-127 RESOLUTION FOR THE BOAT HOUSE RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL 2024-2025
RESOLUTION 2024-128 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STILLWATER APPROVING APPOINTMENTS OF TOWNSHIP BOARD AND COMMISSIONS-KELLYANN DIBATTISTA REC COMMISSION
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor L. Chammings noted that the Sussex County Resurfacing program is begin paving in Stillwater Township in Spring 2025.
Mayor L. Chammings stated that she would abstain from voting on Report #14 as she herself is on the report.
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Committeewoman V. Rumsey, to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes/abstain from Report #14. Motion carried with all in favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
On Call DPW Employee Policy
The Township Committee reviewed the On Call DPW Employee Policy that relates to the weekend on call DPW employee bringing a township truck home with them in case they are called in. They would be able to go straight to where ever the work was needed. The Committee agreed the drafted policy was acceptable. Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated to send the policy to the Teamsters Local for approval.
Workshop Meeting Discussion
Mayor L. Chammings stated that the Township Committee discussed using one of their scheduled workshop meetings to discuss the Bicentennial, Capital Items, Fireworks, and Lighting at the park on October 8th at 7:00pm.
Hampton Township Property Block 1901 Lot 6.03
Committeewoman V. Rumsey stated that she spoke with the Hampton Township Mayor recently and they had discussed the property behind the Community Center which is technically in Hampton Township however Stillwater Township would like to utilize the property for a community garden, add a bocce ball court or have a picnic area. She wanted to know what needed to be done to move forward with being able to use the property. Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that he would contact Hampton Township’s Attorney, F. McGovern, and clarify what, if anything, the Township has to do to be able to use the property.
Holiday Party- Friday, December 13, 2024 Community Center
Mayor L. Chammings stated this was a request to have the Stillwater Township staff and Committee holiday luncheon to be on Friday, December 13th at the Community Center this year as the Municipal Office does not have as much available seating/tables. The Township office will be closing early that day.
Convenience Center Recycling Issue
Mayor L. Chammings stated that there is still an issue at the recycling center with trash being mingled with the recycling. If it continues, SCMUA will stop accepting our recycling. The recycling center tried putting a high school worker at the dumpster in an attempt to educate the public as to what items are allowed and which aren’t but they were met with rude responses. One of the adults has tried manning the dumpster but also has to be in charge of the cardboard compactor so while they aren’t watching the dumpster, items are being thrown in that shouldn’t be. If SCMUA does revoke the Township’s privileges, the cost of disposal would greatly increase.
The Township Committee discussed how to best handle the situation and decided to check with the CFO to see if there are funds available to add a 3rd person to stand at the platform only. They also discussed printing a half flyer listing the items that are recyclable to hand out to the public as they pull in.
Community Center Civic Group Renewals
Municipal Clerk V. Ingles stated that she added this to the agenda for clarification if the Civic Groups need to renew their Community Center Use Application as of January 2025 or April 2025 since most organizations paid by April 30, 2024. Township Attorney E. Bernstein suggested that for the 2025 year, organizations must renew by April 30th, 2025 and pay ¾ of the annual fee with the understanding that they will be renewing in January of 2026 and every January from then forward. The Committee decided that would be the best way to handle the Civic Groups and get them on an annual schedule.
Committeewoman V. Rumsey stated that she wanted to note that a letter of intent was received by the Sussex County Fire Academy to purchase the 2003 Pierce Pumper from the Stillwater Township Fire Department for $50,000.00 for training purposes. They are just waiting on board approval on October 28th. An Ordinance would need to be introduced and adopted by the Township to be able to sell the Fire Truck as well.
Committeewoman V. Rumsey stated that the Stillwater Fire Department went to Wildwood for the Annual Fireman’s Convention. The new fire truck was there to show. The Fire Department won a trophy for the longest traveled department, marched in the parade and had their vehicles there.
Committeewoman V. Rumsey stated that vandalism in town has been terrible; the state police have been called each time. Committeewoman V. Rumsey, Committeeman D. Manser and Mayor L. Chammings, along with the DPW have responded to the vandalism calls as well. There has been equipment stolen, two sheds broken into, dirt bikes riding on the fields/baseball diamonds, and paintball damage. The Town is addressing it and the State Police have been compiling reports. Parents will be charged if there are minors involved. Mayor L. Chammings noted if anyone sees something happening to call the non-emergency number at the State Police Sussex Station to report it at 973-383-1514.
Mayor L. Chammings announced that the ice machine is now at the community center and has been installed. It just needs to sit for a day then it can be connected.
PUBLIC SESSION (any subject – 3-minute limit)
PUBLIC SESSION OPENED at 7:46 PM
Township Resident D. Gatanas asked when the Veteran’s Park paving would be taking place; if it would be ready before the bicentennial celebration. Mayor L. Chammings responded that the contract is set up, paving will begin this fall.
Mr. Gatanas stated that the traffic light in front of his house has a new vehicle detection device so that people aren’t sitting at the traffic light for so long which is an improvement however he’s still in a dangerous position when it comes to pulling out of his driveway because of people trying to beat the light. He stated that he’s also starting to collect a lot of trash from people that are sitting at the light and tossing things out their car windows. He has contacted the County to notify them that it’s not safe and asked if possible for the Township to reach out an express their concerns as well. Mayor L. Chammings stated that she can ask the Sheriff’s Patrol to patrol the area more frequently and she can check with VanCleef for an update.
Mr. Gatanas stated that he wanted to also pay a compliment to the township staff and Municipal Clerk, everyone is always cordial and nice and have been a pleasure to work with.
Township Resident J. Falotico stated that the property next to his is going up on the foreclosure list. His septic is on that property. He wants to make sure he has access to it. Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that Mr. Falotico should have a updated certified survey completed on his property to see where exactly his property line is since the last survey was done in the 1980 and may not be accurate. The township will move forward on the foreclosure and take it one day at a time after that. The legislature was just changed that municipalities can move forward with foreclosures so it’s still going to be some time until that actually happens.
Township Resident H. Falotico stated that she’s at a bus stop with three other families on Stillwater Road. She said that people fly on the road and she was wondering if they can have an official bus stop ahead sign installed to try to get them to slow down. Mayor L. Chammings stated that she will ask the DPW to contact the township engineer then get the signs from the County. Municipal Clerk V. Ingles will confirm that it is an official bus stop first.
H. Falotico suggested putting the vandalism info on the township website with the state police numbers to call if something is seen.
PUBLIC SESSION CLOSED at 8:04 PM
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that he met with Mayor L. Chammings and Committeeman D. Manser and the Teamsters Local that afternoon. Some progress has been made on the union contract.
BILLS LIST #14 $558,276.60
RESOLUTION 2024-129 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS
WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in the proper account; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has approved payment upon certification from
the Township Department Heads that the goods and/or services have been rendered to the
Township;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Stillwater that the current bill lists, dated September 17, 2024, are on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and approved by the Chief Financial Officer for payment, be paid.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeewoman D. Delaney to adopt Resolution 2024-129, funds permitting.
Committeeman D. Manser stated that he wanted to ask about the pickleball court bill. He stated that there was a lengthy discussion at the last Recreation Commission meeting about the considerable puddling after the rains that occurred. He stated that the quote for the pickleball court didn’t specify filling in indents. He will follow up with Rec to see how to proceed. The Committee agreed to approve the bill for now but to have the CFO hold it until they receive answers.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes/abstain from PO 148847. Motion carried with all in favor.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: held in the Stillwater Township Municipal Building.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser with all members in favor, to adopt the Resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 8:11 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
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: Attorney Client.
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.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeewoman D. Delaney with all members in favor, to go back into Regular Session at 8:31 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Committeewoman V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated to let the record reflect that all members of the governing body present commencing from Executive Session are present to recommence to the open session along with the Township Attorney and Township Clerk and Committeeman G. Scott via Zoom. There was a discussion regarding security related matters. No formal action required at this time.
A MOTION was made by Committeewoman D. Delaney and seconded by Committeeman D. Manser, with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 P.M.
Valerie Ingles, Municipal Clerk
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