Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of July 19, 2012 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on July 19, 2012 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Present: Mike Kopas, Penny Garman, Gene Cracovia, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Alan Andreas, Nancy Bruce. Also present: David Maines. Absent: Vince Licari, Jack Kranefuss and Paul Allocco. Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order Mike 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 June 21, 2012 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Council Liaison Report No report. Budget Report The sum of $10,775 was transferred from Agricultural Supplies to Maintenance, leaving an unencumbered balance of $3,250 of the total 2012 budget of $101,850. Mike will be notified when the remaining funds are nearly expended. Public Comments and Correspondence A pear tree was removed at 7 Independence Court by the homeowner who wishes to be reimbursed. The Board was not notified ahead of time to evaluate the tree. The policy is not to reimburse and a letter will be sent. Mrs. Sasso, of 11 Strickland, lives next to the low-income housing clean-up site where 31 trees were removed without the Board’s knowledge. Donald Links, the STMB Council Liaison, will be emailed (copies to Mr. Vogel and Mr. Burnet), asking for communication of relevant issues, and to explain the Council’s position to Mrs. Sasso. Ms. Leslie Lajewski, of 2 Woodside, will plant 2 trees to replace a red oak which was removed to build a garage. Borough Tree Status Storm damage recovery is ongoing. Alan will write an “After the October Storm” Patch article to update the public. Maintenance and removal progress is up to date. TCC No report. FMST A motion was made, seconded and approved to support FMST’s efforts to plant a tree in James Park in memory of Joe Mezzacca. A letter for bids was sent out for 26 trees which DPW will plant in late September. Parks Advisory Committee No report. Old Business Mike will reach out for Management Plan update prices. Mike will review the MRC landscape plan. New Business Joe DeMarzo, of 93 Ridgedale, asked if Parks trees are being cleaned up and was told that all trees over private property, roads and paths have been removed. The Board adjourned at 9:30 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.