Shade Tree Commission Meeting

Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes - Amended Tuesday, June 13, 2023 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 Barbara Preminger Present Robert Craft Absent Carole Sick Present James Van Pelt Present George Werner Present Carol York Present Shaine Meier – Council Representative Excused Guests: Bruce Freshman, Hutchie and Jerry Cummin, Chris Quaile 1. A motion to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2023 meeting was made by Barbara Preminger and seconded by Carole Sick. The motion was approved by all present with one abstention. 2. Bruce Freshman is the homeowner of 224 Windsor Avenue. A parcel of city property adjoins his property. The property is wet and floods. There are two black pines on the city property that are diseased and in decline. George A confirmed the condition of the trees. Mr. Freshman asked for the trees to be removed. Removal request was approved. 3. Hutchie and Jerry Cummin are the homeowners at 1120 New York Avenue. A street tree in front of their property was removed in 2021. They would like another tree planted in the street lawn but are not sure if the stump was ground down and if another tree can be planted there. They would like the replacement tree to be an American Basswood tree. George A. confirmed the tree was a good choice. The Cummins are willing to provide half the purchase price of the tree if the Commission does not have enough money to purchase the tree. 4. Chris Quaile is an arborist representing the home owner of 20 Patterson Avenue. The Commission initially denied the removal request for the two trees at this location. There was much discussion about how the trees were compromised, do they present a hazard, are they too close to the house, how to protect trees during construction, how to educate contractors about protecting trees, and more. The homeowner is willing to plant two new trees if the trees in question can be removed. The vote to approve the removal request was not unanimous but was approved. The permit fee to remove the trees will be $75.00 for each tree. The home owner is requested to plant two new trees on his property. 5. The discussion about the trees at 20 Patterson highlighted the need to revise the Cape May Shade Tree ordinance. 6. 1126 Washington Street: removal request was approved. 7. 737 Washington Street – removal request was denied. Carole will continue to monitor these trees. She invited other commissioners to inspect the trees and to provide comments. 8. Trees that were not used by Atlantic City Electric at the Elmira site will be planted on the Cape May Avenue median. The trees were moved to Matt Notch’s property, and he will keep them watered until the trees are planted in the fall. A motion to adjourn was made by George A. and seconded by Carole. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM. Submitted by Carol York