Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of May 17, 2012 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on May 17, 2012 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Present: Mike Kopas, Penny Garman, Gene Cracovia, Vince Licari, Steve Miller, Nancy Bruce. Also present: David Maines and Paul Allocco. Absent: Mike Kopas. Christine Hammitt, Jack Kranefuss and Alan Andreas. Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order Mike called the meeting to order at 8:15 and read the Sunshine Law for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Minutes The Board approved the April 19, 2012 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Council Liaison Report No report. Budget Report The amount of $46,130.50 of $101,850 has been spent year-to-date. The maintenance budget has less than $5k left due primarily to storm damage remediation expenses. David estimates that the budget will be exhausted sometime in June leaving us without a reserve for emergency work. Mike will draft a letter to Donald Links and Ray Cody advising them of our budget situation. Public Comments/Correspondence A private tree on Main St. near Chatham border is dead and dangerous. Penny will notify the home owner of their responsibility. Two trees on Rt. 124 adjacent to Drew property are dead. The State will be contacted for removal. Rotary project to plant at the MRC is still being considered. Borough Tree Status David will update the pruning and removal numbers to Ray Codey. Honor is handing in weekly bills. DPW can handle tree fall planting in August and September. Penny will hold off tree planting efforts until July in case the money is needed for maintenance. One hundred twenty-three trees have been removed to date. TCC No report. FMST Participated at the green fair and Arbor Day. Pear trees have all been planted on Main St. and Condurso Way at a cost of $3,500. The trees will have green ribbons attached. FMST is considering planting at the MRC picnic area. Parks Advisory Committee Parks department will partner with STMB for the High School service day (6/1) project at Luke Miller, Summerhill and Livsey parks. Old BusinessArbor Day was held May 5 at 9:00am at Hartley Dodge Memorial. STMB celebrated the 27th Tree City USA award and the 5th Growth Award. The 2011 year end report has been submitted and accepted. New Business Tree protection is still an enforcement problem. Site plan tree protection is not being followed or enforced. Mike will send an email to D. Links and R. Codey with our concerns. The Board adjourned at 9:30 am. Minutes submitted by Steve Miller.