Shade Tree Commission Meeting

Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 13, 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 Absent Sue Wichterman Absent Barbara Preminger Present Fiore Mannella Present Carol York Present Carole Sick Present Mark Pask Present RuthAnne Stewart Excused Shaine Meier – Council Representative Present Guest: Brian Guthrie 1. A motion to approve the amended minutes of the June 14, 2022, meeting was made by Mark Pask and seconded by Carole Sick. The motion was approved by all present. 2. A motion to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2022, meeting was made by Carole Sick and seconded by Mark Pask. The motion was approved by all present with one abstention. 3. 1312 Ohio Avenue: Mr. Guthrie requested the Commission to reconsider reimbursing him $300.00 for his sidewalk repair (3 blocks). Although the guidelines of the program were not strictly followed but rather adhered to ‘after the fact’, the Commission authorized the payment by a vote of 6 yes, 1 no. After a brief discussion of how to make homeowners more aware of the program, Shaine suggested attaching a notice about the program to the permit that the contractors receive. It was noted that the guideline of two quotes for work is a state-wide requirement. 4. Chestnut trees on Cape May Avenue median: Mr. Guthrie remarked about the demise of the chestnut trees at this location and attributed their failure to lack of water. No so – Mark explained that the trees planted were part of a project by the American Chestnut Foundation to produce a blight resistant chestnut tree – further work is needed to produce a viable tree. 5. Welcome Center parking lot: there will be repaving of the area - Jay asked Carole to look at the trees that could be removed. There are plans to plant new trees in place of any trees removed. 6. Franklin Street School: contractor Bill Burns was scheduled to attend today’s meeting but did not. He spoke to Jay about the need to remove the linden tree in front of the school in order to repoint the bricks. Several options for supplying concrete to the project were discussed instead of the using the equipment that Mr. Burns suggested. All agreed the tree should not be removed. Trees on the property can be trimmed. 7. 1302 Texas Avenue: denial of the removal request for the tree at this location was upheld. 8. Silver maple on Massachusetts Avenue: Mickey Riggins looked at this tree and deemed the tree a hazard because of root rot – tree was being removed. 9. 50/50 Sidewalk Program-discussion: can fees for the removal permit go toward the program, can the budget for the program be increased, enforce fines for unauthorized tree removal, follow program guidelines more strictly. 10. Shade Tree Conference – Nancy will send out information about the conference. Conference will be held in Cherry Hill in mid-October. A motion to adjourn was made by Barbara and seconded by Mark. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 2:45PM. Submitted by Carol York