02/11/2026 Shade Tree Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Shade Tree Commission Auditorium/Live Stream Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, February 11, 2025 5:00 pm CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Ator called the meeting to order and announced compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975, that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairman Ator led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE Vice Chairman Ator, Commissioner Werner, Commissioner York, Commissioner Sick, Commissioner Seeland. ABSENT MEMBERS Commissioner Goldstein, Commissioner Preminger. GUESTS Council Liaison Meier. REORGANIZATION Commissioner York motioned to nominate George Ator for Chairman, seconded by George Werner. Vice Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Commissioner Werner – Yes Commissioner York motioned to nominate George Werner for Vice Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Seeland. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Commissioner Werner – Yes Vice Chairman Werner motioned to nominate Commissioner York for Treasurer, seconded by Commissioner Seeland. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York – Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Vice Chairman Werner – Yes APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Ator motioned, seconded by Commissioner York to approve the minutes of February 11, 2025. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Abstain Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Vice Chairman Werner – Yes Street Tree Removal Requests Residential Tree Removal Requests 1204 Washington Street Chairman Ator stated that this tree is located at the rear of the property and appears to be dead. He stated that it is covered in ivy and vines. It was recommended that he replace this with the two for one clause. It should be a tree on the recommended list with a two-inch caliper. Chairman Ator stated that if there is not enough room, it would need to go into the tree bank. Vice Chairman Werner motioned to remove the tree at 1204 Washington Street, seconded by Commissioner Seeland. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Vice Chairman Werner – Yes 1200 New York Avenue Vice Chairman Werner stated that the applicant requested several trees to be removed. His recommendation is to retain the magnolia tree and proceed with the removal of the crepe myrtle and the holly tree. Vice Chairman Werner motioned to retain the southern magnolia and remove the crepe myrtle and the holly with the two for one replacement, seconded by Commissioner York. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Vice Chairman Werner – Yes 915 Corgie Street Commissioner Seeland stated that he was in contact with the owner. The owner stated he took sewer backup hits to his rental property to the point of $6,000.00 in damages. The tree is a silver maple. Commissioner Seeland stated that for him to get a gravity feed he would need to go around the tree, do a major excavation, take out a front egress, and there would be no guarantee he would get the gravity feed. Commissioner Seeland motioned to remove the tree and replace with a two for one with a two-inch caliper with the replacement to occur during the growing season of 2026, seconded by Commissioner York. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner York - Yes Commissioner Seeland – Yes Commissioner Sick – Yes Vice Chairman Werner – Yes New Business Chairman Ator brought up the tree at Cape May Elementary School that will be removed and replanting a new one for Arbor Day as the goal. He stated that it would be a sizeable tree. Councilman Meier requested that DPW provided a monthly report on street tree trimmings and removals. Chairman Ator motioned, seconded by Commissioner York to adjourn. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Lauren Emerick Cape May City Shade Tree Commission Secretary