Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of January 16, 2014 Reorganization Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its Reorganization Meeting on January 16, 2014 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Call to Order Mike Kopas called the Reorganization Meeting to order at 8 am and read the Sunshine Law for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Present: Mike Kopas, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Penny Garman, Nancy Bruce and Gene Cracovia. Also present: Paul Allocco and Lauren Hagerstrom. Absent: Alan Andreas and Vince Licari. Reorganization and Election of Officers The Board voted to approve the following slate of officers for 2014: Chair Alan Andreas Vice-Chair Steve Miller Treasurer Gene Cracovia Secretary Christine Hammitt The Board approved the following 2014 schedule of regular monthly meetings at 8:00am, in the second floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ: January 16 (Reorganization + Regular Meeting) February 20 March 20 April 17 (7:00 pm) May 15 June 19 July 17 August 21 September 18 (7:00 pm) October 16 November 20 December 18 The Board then held its regular monthly meeting. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.  SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of January 16, 2014 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on January 16, 2014 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Call to Order Steve Miller called the meeting to order and read the Sunshine Law for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Present: Mike Kopas, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Penny Garman, Nancy Bruce and Gene Cracovia. Also present: Paul Allocco and Lauren Hagerstrom. Absent: Alan Andreas and Vince Licari. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes The Board approved the December 19, 2013 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report Approximately five percent of the total 2013 budget remains ($2145 in Maintenance and $2272 in Professional Services). The proposed STMB 2014 budget will be the same as last year - $101,850. Council Liaison Report No report. The April and September, 2014 meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm. The minutes will be forwarded to Carmela Vitale for attendance coordination with Rob Catalanello. Public Comments and Correspondence At 27 Greenwood Avenue, sidewalk replacement and drainage work may affect a Red Maple, which was assessed for removal and found to be in good shape. Borough Tree Maintenance Status In 2013, the STMB responded to all 140 resident’s requests to assess and maintain public trees; 122 trees were removed; 1 street was pruned; 69 trees planted in the last 5 years were trimmed as part of the continuing developmental pruning program. Tree King has the list of forty trees that still need to be removed. Penny will request that they resume the work. A long trimming list will be addressed when the Bid Contract is ready next month. TCC The Belleau Avenue subdivision was approved on the condition that street trees will be included on the plan. Realogy is moving 8 trees for 30 additional parking places and no increase in impervious coverage. FMST Last year, the Friends of the Madison Shade Tree allocated $10,000 for 32 trees. This year, Friends is considering $5,000 for Parks (MRC deer exclosure) and $2,000 for street trees (Habitat For Humanity new homes in the Orchard). Parks Advisory Committee Cole Park fountain restoration work will begin soon. The Madison Recreation Complex and the Ad Hoc Passive-Use Committees will propose that Council designate the MRC as a park. Old Business David, Vince and Gene attended Tree Day at CCM on January 7, 2014. Some notes:  There is a trade-off tree nurseries make by high fertilization which promotes fast growth but may have an adverse effect on the tree's root development and defense metabolism thus making some trees more susceptible to pests/diseases.  Don't fertilize trees unless you also have an irrigation program.  Lots of rules/guidelines on how to store/manage pesticides/fungicides/etc. That is one reason why DPW does not store these materials but contracts out, when needed.  Some 2014 NJ tree predictions:  Ash diseases (yellow ash & emerald ash borer) exist in surrounding NJ states so will probably show up in NJ. Increased spread of the Asian Ambrosia Beetle. Increased pear tree diseases: fire blight & pear trellis rust. Increased spread of bacterial leaf scorch, even beyond oaks (observed starting in August).  New approach to control these diseases is to NOT clear cut the affected trees but to treat with appropriate chemicals; a lot still not understood on how some of these spread and thus how to control.  Lots of data and literature describing the growth/service of trees when planted in cut-outs or in parking lot beds; the more access to soil, the more likely the tree will provide the desired growth/service. Mike will call the owner at 20 Vinton about two private trees and suggest a structural condition assessment. An arborist had deemed them as hazardous and DPW had sent a letter to the homeowner suggesting their removal. Steve will submit Lauren Hagerstrom, 6 Dogwood Drive, to Borough Council for a five-year term appointment to the STMB. New Business Arbor Day is scheduled for May 3, 2014. Drew University will donate a tree. A 2014 Community Forest Management Plan goal will be to update the Landmark Tree list including private and public trees. Robert Vogel supplied a list of streets that will be worked on this year which may need some tree impact assessment: (He is looking at funding up to 18 tree removals as part of the road improvements.) Project Description 2014 2015 Road Reconstruction North 430,000 Pine Tree 100,000 Durwood 100,000 Fletcher 100,000 Academy 180,000 Belmont 210,000 Vinton 260,000 Wilson 90,000 Ridgedale (North) 500,000 Ridgedale (South) 500,000 West 75,000 Kinney 130,000 Union Hill 120,000 Loantaka Terr 120,000 Elm St 170,000 The Board adjourned at 9:20 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.