Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of February 16, 2012 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 16, 2012 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Present: Nancy Bruce, Gene Cracovia, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Alan Andreas and Mike Kopas. Also present: David Maines and Paul Allocco. Absent: Penny Garman, Vince Licari and Jack Kranefuss. Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order Mike Kopas called the meeting to order at 8:00 and read the Sunshine Law for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Minutes The Board approved the January 19, 2012 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Council Liaison Report No report. Budget Report The 2012 STMB budget is $101,850 down from $107,250 in 2011. Public Comments/Correspondence Bob Vogel sent a request to Madison Golf Club to communicate their intentions when cutting down trees. Madison High School is asking for participation in its yearly Day of Service. The idea submission deadline is 3/2, the Volunteer Fair is Friday, 4/20 and the Service Day is Friday, 6/1. Everyone was asked to think about ideas. Borough Tree Status Tree King has removed 60 trees. Pruning maintenance is important but hangers and removals, especially on major thoroughfares, are a priority. As a result of numerous imminent-hazard issues, we may be out of money in June and look forward to financial assistance through FEMA. Todd Wyckoff’s “Treasure Tree Fund” may be a source for a grant to update Madison Electric Borough employees of proper tree cuts and current horticultural practices. Twenty-five trees will be planted in the spring. David will update the Board about storm-related tree damage. TCC Jack reviewed two applications. The Blockbuster plan has no landscape plans attached and does not appear to need one (it is a renovation to an existing building with no effect on surrounding land areas). An Elmer Street landscape plan indicates no plants higher than three feet. The addition of a shade tree was recommended. Existing Land Use rules have been surveyed and turned into a questionnaire and can be further converted into a checklist which can be combined with STMB recommendations. The TCC representative will review an application and, if necessary, request further assistance by the total Board. FMST Friends of the Madison Shade Trees wants to plant only replacement trees in areas that can be identified and needs a Borough Tree Status update for an upcoming fundraising letter. Parks Advisory Committee Paul noted that DPW did a great job cleaning up the storm-related damage in the major parks. Old Business The New Jersey Forestry Community Grant application Land Use law ordinances plan is due for 2013. Mike and Gene will pursue the enforcement issue. Arbor Day/May Day will be May 5 and this year’s theme will be “We RE-plant trees”. New Business The incoming Rotary President asked for tree replacement locations. The Madison Recreation Complex was suggested and a meeting of all those interested was proposed. Mike is working on the 2011 year-end report. David asked who maintains the historic allée trees leading up to the tennis courts at the Madison Recreation Complex. The Board adjourned at 9:45 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.