Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of February 18, 2015 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on February 18, 2015 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: Penny Garman, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Nancy Bruce, Lauren Hagerstrom and Gene Cracovia. Also present: David Maines and Paul Allocco. Absent: Alan Andreas, Mike Kopas and Vince Licari. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes The Board approved the January 15, 2015 minutes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report A five percent increase in maintenance (pruning and removals) was requested in the pending 2015 budget. Council Liaison Report No report. Public Comments and Correspondence None reported. Borough Tree Maintenance Status No tree work occurred because of the snow. TCC None reported. FMST The Friends are working on three projects: street tree plantings on Valley and Myrtle; plantings at the new Bayley-Ellard field’s entrance off Danforth Road where David plans to install a frost-free hydrant; seedlings plantings with the New Jersey Tree Foundation in the MRC deer exclosure in April. The yearly fundraiser mailing is scheduled in March and April. Parks Advisory Committee Paul is organizing a High School Day of Service project in Summerhill Park. A “Letter of Intent” with regard to wetlands has expired forcing the Dog Park Project to be put on hold. A new hockey shed was proposed in Memorial Park in the footprint of an old, dismantled shed. Old Business Spring tree planting letters were sent to homeowners in March. Penny will be able to fulfill 38 requests for street trees. New Business Gene reported that the Planning and Zoning office has visual plans of public trees and will include a letter in applications indicating the number of public trees requiring protection. The enforcement process is being worked out. The Board will change the May 21 meeting to 7pm in the Trustee’s Room. The MRC Passive Recreation Committee reconvened to address the outstanding issues of the boardwalk, the trails and the status of the contaminated area. STMB and the Environmental Commission will be advised. Prior to construction, Penny will evaluate the public trees in front of 10 Pomeroy for possible removal. Public trees may need to be removed on Ridgedale Avenue as a result of road reconstruction. A pear tree pruning request was submitted for 215 Main Street. The Board voted to support the Friend’s proposal to have 500 seedlings planted in the MRC deer exclosure. Arbor Day is set for May 2 and the Green Fair the week before. A Shade Tree Management Board Facebook presence is being discussed. The Board adjourned at 9:40 am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.