Environmental And Recreation Committee

Environment and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 5, 2024 6:00 PM Present: Committee Members Liz Wyckoff (Chairperson), Ben Bell, Connor O’Hanlon, and Dennis Livrone. Also present were James Lannon of the Planning Commission, Karyn Hyland, Director of Planning and Zoning, and Caitlin Hernandez, the Director of Parks and Recreation. The Minutes from March 6, 2025, were approved as submitted. Karyn Hyland gave a brief background on the Street Tree Memo. Karyn Hyland explained that Chris Candido, owner of 401 Maple Avenue, requested approval to remove an existing healthy Red Maple street tree along Cottage Street. Street trees, by ordinance, are in the public right-of-way and are not removable under the permitting process applicable to trees on private property. The Borough maintains street trees, and their removal is limited to those that are dead, dying, or hazardous. Mr. Candido would like to plant either five Yellowwood street trees or, as an alternative, five Red Maple street trees. Because the existing tree is healthy, its removal would be a deviation from typical protocol. The Shade Tree Commission discussed this request over the course of three meetings and recommended approval of the removal. The Commission did not make a recommendation for the species of tree to be planted. Yellowwoods are not included in the Borough's list of approved plantings and would require an ordinance amendment if they were to be planted as street trees. Hyland noted the Commission was tasked with making recommendations on ordinance amendments by July. This was followed by a lengthy discussion regarding the risk of approving removal without a more tangible recommendation for replanting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the removal (O'Hanlon/Bell). The vote was split with two ayes (O'Hanlon and Livrone) and two nays (Wycoff and Bell). The Committee then unanimously voted to table the request until the Shade Tree Commission puts forward a recommendation on ordinance amendments (O'Hanlon/Livrone) Caitlin shared the Burpee Proposal for a renovation of the basketball court. The proposal is to rename the court and to resurface the basketball court. This proposal was presented to the Parks and Recreation Board in early June, and they were in favor of the proposed changes. On a motion made by Ben Bell and seconded by Connor O’Hanlon, to approve the naming and fundraising efforts for the Burpee Park Basketball Courts. Caitlin provided the Recreation Director Report. Progress continues to happen on the bocce courts at Wood Street Park. The Neis Park Tennis Court resurfacing project has been postponed due to inclement weather. Caitlin also reported on the current and upcoming events and activities. Under the topic of New Business, James Lannon invited ERC members to join the Park Tour on Tuesday, August 5. As there was no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Erika Fellman Minutes Secretary