Shade Tree Commission Meeting

Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Chairman Schatz announced that in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: Jay Schatz Present George Ator Present Sue Wichterman Excused Barbara Preminger Excused Fiore Mannella Present Carol York Present Carole Sick Present Mark Pask Present RuthAnne Stewart Present Shaine Meier – Council Representative Present Guest: Wayne Hoffman, Matt Notch, Karl Ziegler 1. A motion to approve the amended minutes of the June 14, 2022 meeting was made by Mark Pask and seconded by George Ator. The motion was approved by all present. The change to the June 14, 2022 minutes was in the second sentence, item # 9: ‘does not inform’ was replaced by ‘does not publicize the program’. 2. Nancy Mohan’s request to purchase a file cabinet was approved. 3. Wayne Hoffman, chairman of the West Cape May Shade Tree Commission spoke extensively about their program. Topics covered: a. code enforcement is their biggest problem. b. created ‘tree bank’ for homeowners to contribute fixed amount when they remove trees and do not plant the correct number of replacement trees. c. all contractors in West Cape May receive a copy of the WCM Shade Tree ordinance d. contractors/tree professionals in violation of ordinance three times within 5-year period are barred from doing business in the borough for five years e. West Cape May website contains list of appropriate small, medium, large trees for planting f. CO withheld until property landscape matches site plans submitted to the borough g. Mickey Riggins reviews all non-emergency requests for tree removal h. left sample brochures given to new homeowners, available at borough hall 4. A sub-committee was formed to review the Cape May Shade Tree ordinance and suggest changes. Members are Jay, Shaine, George and Carole. 5. 405 Madison Avenue: commissioners voted not to remove this tree. A request will be submitted to remove two lower branches of the cedar tree. The idea of putting reflectors on the tree trunk was rejected in order not to draw attention to a potential liability. 6. 1302 Texas Avenue: request to remove the pine tree on the front lawn was denied. Carol asked the other commissioners to check out the tree. At the next meeting their opinions will be discussed, and the original request status will be either confirmed or reversed. 7. 1312 Ohio Avenue: request to be reimbursed for 50% of the sidewalk repair cost was denied. The homeowner did not follow the program guidelines. Going forward requests for 50/50 reimbursements will be denied if the applicant does not follow the program guidelines. 8. Trees in Rotary Park are not under the Shade Tree Commission’s care. 9. Mr. Ziegler requested the street tree between 1122 and 1128 be trimmed. 10. Matt Notch spoke to the Commission on several issues: (1) Mickey Riggins is a certified tree expert, qualified to assess a tree’s quality of life, Ron Menear is not; his work is limited to trimming, removing, stump grinding, etc. (2) West Cape May pays Mickey Riggins $50.00 for each tree he assesses, and each removal permit needs an arborist’s report (3) residents notified of a hazardous tree situation are not required to act on it; (4) the effects of construction damage to tree roots usually does not manifest until 2 to 3 years after the damage. A motion to adjourn was made by George and seconded by Mark. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 4:40PM. Submitted by Carol York