Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of July 17, 2014 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on July 17, 2014 in the second Floor Committee Room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. 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, Nancy Bruce, Gene Cracovia, Vince Licari and Penny Garman. Also present: Paul Allocco and David Maines. Absent: Mike Kopas and Lauren Hagerstrom. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes The Board approved the June 19, 2014 minutes as amended. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report Tree King was paid $3,290 for removals and Barton Nursery $14,895 for trees. A pending bill from Honor Tree totals $2,075. Twenty-nine percent of Maintenance Services ($29,090.50 of $82, 550) has been expended YTD. Council Liaison Report No report. Public Comments and Correspondence Vince authorized a builder to relocate a new tree within the Borough right-of-way on the property at 18 Valley Road. Borough Tree Maintenance Spring planting results: 29 rejections; 7 rejections after X-marking; 1 rejection after planting. Two Zelkovas died again at the Madison Safety complex. When digging them up, Vince will assess the environment and David will obtain two soil samples for testing. Trees are removed when roads are milled and repaved. Vince will evaluate the situations with recommended replacements. It was proposed that Borough street work be divided into quadrants to more easily anticipate tree needs. TCC As a result of a subdivision, trees will be removed at 85 Green Avenue. Alan will suggest replacements. FMST Friends hopes to plant 5 new trees at the Habitat for Humanity site in September. Parks Advisory Committee No report. Old Business Vince will meet with Mike to finalize the MRC deer fence details. New Business The Board discussed the maintenance of Borough-owned parks, such as the Pomeroy Woods. Vince proposed that all man-made accumulations of logs, brush and debris be cleaned up and removed using a broadcast chipping method. This action will diminish any unnatural and unsightly piles, reduce the risk of a fire and increase safety. The Board voted to adopt the proposal. A letter will be sent to Ray Codey, Jim Burnet and the Environmental Commission. Alan will arrange a meeting to update Ray Codey with regard to tree protection measures, Borough woods maintenance and vendor management. Vince recommended cutting roots and re-laying pavers to address sidewalk safety issues. The Board adjourned at 9:35 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.