Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of February 20, 2014 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 20, 2014 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. Pledge of Allegiance Call to Order Alan Andreas called the meeting to order and read the Sunshine Law for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Present: Alan Andreas, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Penny Garman, Nancy Bruce and Gene Cracovia. Also present: David Maines and Lauren Hagerstrom. Absent: Mike Kopas, Paul Allocco and Vince Licari. Minutes The Board approved the January 16, 2014 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report Approximately $30,000 was encumbered for tree maintenance in 2013. Council Liaison Report No report. Public Comments and Correspondence Sarah Webb asked that the cut up and fallen trees behind the Library be left there. David stated that in the past, dangerous trees have been removed and the paths were cleared. He and Jim Burnet plan to bring in SLAP to clean up the brush for fire prevention. Meetings and discussions with Sarah Webb and the Fire Department are being considered to determine a clean-up policy concerning man-made versus natural debris. Borough Tree Maintenance Status Six vendors filed paperwork incorrectly and all six trimming bids were rejected. Rebid notices will be publicized. One street was pruned in 2013 and an increase of the number of streets was suggested in 2014. A large part of a street tree had fallen and was removed at 7 Garfield. Tree Planting Update Penny proposed the following list of trees for spring 2014 and asked for suggested alternatives: 10 October Glory Maples 5 Linden 7 Yellowwood 5 Red Sunset Maples 5 Red Oak 3 Gingko 5 Sugar Maples 10 Pin Oaks 10 Valley Forge Elms 5 Amelanchier 10 Zelkova 10 Black Gum 5 Pear 10 Sweet Gum (seedless) 5 Japanese Lilac TCC Two applications were reviewed. FMST Future projects of the Friends include: reforestation of the MRC enclosed area; tree planting at the Bailey-Ellard playing fields and cleaning out invasives; tree planting at the Habitat for Humanity homes at Strickland and Orchard. Fund-raising letters will be mailed and enclosed in Borough electric bills. Parks Advisory Committee A possible Boy Scout project in Summerhill Park will involve working on the trail from Central to DeHart. Old Business The Landmark Tree list needs to be updated. New Business NJ Forestry is offering Sandy reforestation seedlings. The Board adjourned at 9:20 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.