STILLWATER TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 2025
A REGULAR MEETING of the Stillwater Township Committee was called to order by Mayor L. Chammings at 6:01 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, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey, Committeeman G. Scott, Mayor L. Chammings
Also Present: Township Attorney Eric Bernstein, Esq
EXECUTIVE SESSION: held in the Stillwater Township Municipal Building.
A MOTION was made by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey, seconded by Committeewoman D. Delaney, with all members in favor, to adopt the Resolution permitting the Committee to go into Executive Session at 6:03 p.m.
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: Personnel, Attorney-Client, Litigation/Potential Litigation & Contract
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 Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeewoman D. Delaney to go back into Regular Session at 6:56 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that the record should reflect that all members of the governing body present, commencing from Executive Session, are present to recommence the open session, along with the Township Attorney and the Township Clerk. A discussion regarding a recent response from Fair Share Housing Center regarding the Township’s Affordable Housing Plan. The Township Clerk and Township Attorney have been given direction regarding the same. No formal action needs to be taken. A request relative to a DPW employee relative to the extension of a leave of absence. The Township Clerk and Township Attorney have been given direction to respond. No formal action needs to be taken. A discussion was had on issues relating to the Lake Plymouth Association and a potential long application. Direction was given to the Township Clerk and the Township Attorney regarding the same. The Lake Plymouth Association will be attending the October 21st meeting. No formal action needs to be taken at this time.
The Committee took a three-minute recess before resuming the meeting.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor L. Chammings led the Flag Salute.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Committeeman D. Manser
Committeeman D. Manser stated that the school board met on August 18th and mainly discussed the upcoming school year. It was the last meeting for the interim Superintendent, Mr. Hursh, with Dr. Papa in attendance. Dr. Papa became the official Superintendent as of August 25th. They will have a second meet and greet with him on September 4th at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria at Stillwater Elementary School. They are drafting a policy for their pre-school program as they are over the number of kids that want to be there.
The recycling center has been very busy as usual. They have been keeping an eye on the co-mingled dumpster. Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey added that Acting DPW Supervisor J. Gardner is repairing the steps for the cardboard dumpster.
Committeewoman D. Delaney
Committeewoman D. Delaney stated that the Rec meeting was on August 19th. The report was given at the last meeting. They switched their September meeting to the 8th.
Committeewoman D. Delaney stated that the Planning Board meeting was on June 18th. There were no resolutions. 936 Dove Island Road was approved for completeness. They paid one bill and discussed the Airbnb Ordinance further. They are looking to the Zoning Officer to update the application.
Committeeman G. Scott asked Committeewoman Delaney and Committeeman Manser to pass along to the Recreation Commission what a fantastic job they did with the summer camp. He said the staff was great, the kids all had a blast, and didn’t want it to end.
Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey
Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey stated that the Zoning Board meeting was on August 25th. They had one hearing and one request for approval. She stated that there is a resident who had to get a variance for removing and installing a deck on Crandon Lakes because it’s a lakefront property, so the front of the house is considered the back and vice versa. They have asked the Zoning Officer to look into the Ordinance to change it.
Some of the members of the Fire Department will be in Wildwood from September 11th – 14th for the Fireman’s Convention. The new policy is in place, and all the fire/EMS personnel have reviewed it.
The new Community Center forms are completed and on the website. The new dumpster will be delivered that week. She and Committeewoman D. Delaney are working on the job description for the overseer.
Committeeman G. Scott
Committeeman G. Scott stated that he did not have any updates since the last Township Committee meeting.
Mayor L. Chammings
Mayor L. Chammings stated that she attended the Sussex County Municipal Leaders cruise on Lake Hopatcong. They are restarting the Sussex County Municipal League.
The CERT meeting was well attended. Paulinskill Lake will try to have a representative from the PLA to attend the CERT meetings. M. Tsadilas ran a good meeting; they are moving into 2026 and planning the next CERT training course. She explained that they should start voting at meetings to purchase items.
The CFO stated that there was some money left in the budget from the Bicentennial. They can use the money to purchase more of the grocery tote bags.
A MOTION was made by Mayor L. Chammings and seconded by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey to purchase 250 Stillwater tote bags at approximately $500.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
Mayor L. Chammings stated that Broton Contracting has its PO and has turned in all its paperwork for the meeting room remodel. They are going to start work on September 23rd. They will purchase new hanging microphones in 2026.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: None
PUBLIC SESSION (Agenda Items Only – 3 Minute Time Limit)
Public Session Open at 7:18 pm.
No public comment.
Public Session Closed at 7:19 pm.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
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 the same, in which case the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
*MINUTES:
August 19, 2025 Board of Health Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes & Executive Session Minutes
*CORRESPONDENCE:
- Stillwater Township CERT July 23, 2025 Meeting Minutes, August 27, 2025 Meeting Agenda
*RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION 2025-124 RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CANCELLATION OF BALANCE OF 2025 TAXES DUE TO THE HOMEOWNER BEING 100% PERMANENT AND TOTALLY DISABLED VETERAN
RESOLUTION 2025-125 REFUND TAXES BACK ON BLOCK 4102 LOT 9 KNOWN AS 916 EDGEWOOD DRIVE FOR THE HOMEOWNER WHO IS 100% PERMANENT AND DISABLED VETERAN AND TO CANCEL THE BALANCE OF 2025 TAXES AND PRELIMINARY 2026 TAXES
RESOLUTION 2025-126 REFUND TAXES BACK ON BLOCK 2401 LOT 34 KNOWN AS 986 FAIRVIEW LAKE ROAD FOR THE HOMEOWNER WHO IS 100% PERMANENT AND DISABLED VETERAN AND CANCEL THE BALANCE OF 2025 AND PRELIMINARY 2026 TAXES
RESOLUTION 2025-127 REFUND TAXES BACK ON BLOCK 1001 LOT 39 KNOWN AS 921 PLYMOUTH LAKE DRIVE EAST FOR THE HOMEOWNER WHO IS 100% PERMANENT AND DISABLED VETERAN AND CANCEL THE BALANCE OF 2025 PROPERTY TAXES
RESOLUTION 2025-128 A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
RESOLUTION 2025-129 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF SEAMUS V WILSON AS A MEMBER OF THE STILLWATER AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH COMMITTEE CONCURRENCE
RESOLUTION 2025-130 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF JOSEPH BERROCAL AS A JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE STILLWATER AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH COMMITTEE CONCURRENCE
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
A MOTION was made by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey and seconded by Committeeman G. Scott, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
County Bridge S-25 Closure
Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey stated that she would like to sit in at a meeting to discuss the bridge. She was told that the design had not been completed yet and that she should address any concerns prior to the design’s completion. She has concerns that she would like to be addressed. The Township Attorney recommended contacting the County Administrator as well as the engineers to be present at the meeting. They can have a separate meeting with the business owners.
PUBLIC SESSION (any subject – 3-minute limit) 7:30 p.m.
No public comment.
PUBLIC SESSION CLOSED at 7:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Township Attorney E. Bernstein stated that he did not have anything additional to report.
BILLS LIST #13 $ 176,037.40
RESOLUTION 2025-131 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 2, 2025, 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 Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey to adopt Resolution 2025-131, funds permitting.
ROLL CALL: Committeeman D. Manser; yes, Committeewoman D. Delaney; yes/abstain from PO 31069, Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey; yes, Committeeman G. Scott; yes, Mayor L. Chammings; yes. Motion carried with all in favor.
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Committeeman G. Scott and seconded by Deputy Mayor V. Rumsey, with all members in favor, to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 P.M.
Committeeman G. Scott noted that September 11th is coming up. The next Township Committee meeting is after that, so he wanted to remind everyone to keep the victims and their families in mind on that day.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Ingles
Municipal Clerk
Visit the Office of Emergency Management page for links and the latest information
