September 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

September 9, 2021

Regular Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Dvorsky

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Christine Dunbar (c/o Paulins Kill Watershed)

Mr. Branagan 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 5/10/21, seconded by Ms. Raff.

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

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.

Christine Dunbar, Coordinator of A Program of the Food Shed Alliance partnered with The Paulins Kill Watershed Community presented information regarding what resources the watershed provides. The Watershed areas of needed cleaning are State park area, Bath House, Mt. Benevolence, Old Tannery & Saddleback. They are looking for Volunteers to participate. Mrs. Gardner mentioned to Mrs. Dunbar to look into possibly coinciding with the Recreation Commission for Fall Clean up. However, the Clean Communities Program does not include the cleaning of County Roads. These are the Roads that most of the Watershed follow. If the Paulins Kill Watershed Community are going to continue to stay with the 3^rd Saturday in October, if they offer a letter for Community Service time they may pick up a few more participants.

The DPW, Recycling Coordinator and Recycling Center Employees will be notified that October 23, 2021 participants from Paulins Kill Watershed Community will be bringing in bags of garbage and recycling. These particular bags will be weighed and reported to our CFO for Clean Communities.

There being no further members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed at 7:40 p.m.

After some Technical difficulties Ms. Kral joined the meeting via Zoom.

Correspondence:

Spotted Lanternfly– Mr. Branagan went to Veteran’s Memorial Park Twice in a week and a half. Mr. Branagan stated he did not see any at Veteran’s on the Tree of Heaven (no eggs or lanternflies). Mrs. Branagan inquired about looking into next year possibly to band the trees and Mr. Branagan stated that to protect animals such as squirrels to cover band with wire mesh. Lanternfly bottle catching demonstration by Mr. Branagan. Eggs can be crushed to kill.

Paulins Kill Fall Watershed Clean Up 10/23/21 (Discussion during Public Input)

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. Mr. Branagan requested addresses for beautification from January 2021 to present on Fairview Lake Road. (not Mt. Holly)

**Upon research from Previous Minutes these are the addresses from 2020/2021 Beautification Project:

1019 Fairview Lake Road, 1024 Fairview Lake Road (or 1021 hand written on minutes) 988 Old Foundry and 1054 Old Foundry. (these are the only addresses other than Mt Holly Rd in the minutes from May 2020-July 2021) others noted are Laurel Drive & Hampton Road with no physical number.

• Fishing Line Collection: Mr. Branagan collected fishing line. 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 (emailed to EC Members and also attached)

There is funding in place. The Biochar that was deployed in 55 bags throughout the lake and streambeds entering the lake, and also at the Blair Creek inflow will be removed for sampling.

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. Mr. Svendsen and Mr. Branagan agreed it cannot be disposed of properly until it’s known what it is. Mrs. Emmetts expressed concern NJDEP may not get to it and it would be too late.

Mrs. Emmetts brought up stipulation from motion regarding proper disposal- (Mrs. Emmetts made a motion to approve the use of Biochar on Fairview Lake with the condition that if material proves to be hazardous through testing, it will be properly disposed of according to NJDEP regulations, seconded by Mr. Branagan.)

New Business

• Environmental Commission/ Volunteer Recognition–

Mr. Branagan for collecting fishing line at Veterans Memorial Park & cutting plywood for signs/ repairs to building.

• Endangered/Threatened Species Sightings

General Discussion:

Mr. Branagan stated August Minutes reflect Mr. Szabo requested to check fishing line receptacle or pass to someone on Ed Connors Property. Ms. Raff offered and Mr. Branagan will confirm with Ms. Raff by 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 8:10 p.m.

There being no members of the public wishing to speak, this portion of the meeting was closed to the public at 8:10 p.m.

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 by 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.)

Planning Board Liaison Report: None

Township Liaison Report: Mayor Chammings

-Recent Meeting relatively short. Discussion on 992 Fairview Lake Road. Mayor Chammings emailed OPRA contact. Currently waiting on boxes and hopefully due to flooding these boxes were not destroyed.

-Water boats on waterways. Fairview Lake Complaint was actually person treating water.

Adjustment is being made on the water boat ordinance. Mrs. Emmetts discussed her call in on a motor boat on state park pulling to new launch. Mayor Chammings regretfully stated that is a state lake and does not fall under the Stillwater Ordinance. Discussion took place regarding the Category 1 Streams (trout producing) If it feeds into a category 1 the run off is considered a category 1. There was a case at the zoning board meeting, A resident wants to put up a pole barn and is classified to have a category 1 setback. Mr. Branagan stated VMP is category 2 but once near Paulinskill Lake it is a category 1.

-2 more disabled vets – cancelled taxes- Mayor Chammings thanks them for their service!

-Redemption of 2 Blocks and Lots in the amount of approx. $30,000.00 back in circulation.

-DPW trying to get another Mason Dump due to Chip Supplier Change there was a Price Increase of approx. $5,000

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