Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of November 20, 2014 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on November 20, 2014 at 8:00 am, 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: Vince Licari, Penny Garman, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Nancy Bruce, Gene Cracovia, Mike Kopas, and Lauren Hagerstrom. Absent: David Maines,Paul Allocco andAlan Andreas. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes The Board approved the October 16, 2014 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report The year-to-date expended Maintenance Services total is $76,814.75 of $91,735 (including a $1,385 transfer) or 84%.The remaining balance is $2,055 ($14,920.25 less $12,865.25 encumbered). Council Liaison Report No report. Public Comments and Correspondence Mike Kopas met with a Pomeroy Road homeowner about the removal of a neighbor’s berm and the effect on her trees. Borough Tree Maintenance January 15, 2015, Penny will submit the tree list for bids. TCC No TCC or Planning Board applications were reviewed. FMST Bulbs and shrubs were planted to improve the new entrance to Bayley Ellard. Major pruning will allow more sun in Rose Garden Park. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society selected Rose Garden Park for formal recognition in its 2014 PHS Gardening and Greening Contest - Gardens of Distinction!Marta McDowell submitted the application and Gene Cracovialed a tour of the garden.Garden entries were judged on maintenance and horticultural practices, as well as the variety, color, and suitability of plantings. Design and total visual effect were also considered, with extra points awarded for creativity and sustainable practices. Twenty-five redbuds and 25 oaks were transplanted from the Madison Recreation Complex - Community Garden - Tree Nursery to the deer exclosure area and Bayley Ellard. Parks Advisory Committee No report. Old Business Cutting and shaving the roots will not harm the Waverly Place trees. The STMB Management Plan sidewalk maintenance process includes cutting the roots, replacing the pavers and reevaluating in three years. Nancy Bruce updated the Landmark Tree nomination requests. Newspaper articles are a successful tool for obtaining public tree requests. New Business Vince Licari suggested adding to the tree bid specifications a one hour response time to emergencies. The Board will vote on the issue in December. The Board adjourned at 10:00 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.