Shade Tree Management Board

SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD Borough of Madison Madison, New Jersey 07940 Minutes of July 16 , 2015 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on July 16, 2015 at 8:00 am in the 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, Penny Garman, Christine Hammitt, Steve Miller, Lauren Hagerstrom, Gene Cracovia and David Maines. Absent: Nancy Bruce, Mike Kopas, Vince Licari and Paul Allocco. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes The Board approved the June 18, 2015 minutes with changes. The Board addressed the following items of business: Budget Report Tree King ($7,655) was paid for removals and Honor ($4,590) was paid for trimming trees. An $84,438.55 balance remains ($42,444.50 of which is encumbered) of the $115,655 total budget. Council Liaison Report No report. Public Comments and Correspondence Jim Burnet communicated with All Affordable who denied having damaged a Borough tree at 42 Green with the use of spikes. All Affordable will be cited for Borough property damage. Frank Russo will initiate the citation or summons to appear in court as directed by Borough ordinance and the Borough attorney will represent the Board. Fax Frank Russo (Zoning Officer) at 973.359.8455 to notify him of instances where Borough trees were damaged or destroyed without the knowledge of the STMB. Borough Tree Maintenance Status Lauren will confirm the dead tree at 29 Oxford is a private tree. Alan will follow up with the homeowner about the dead private tree at 93 Greenwood. Tree Planting Update One hundred and twelve Borough street trees have been removed. The newly planted trees that had to be transferred are sickly. TCC No cases were reviewed in July. FMST Penny Garman and Gene Cracovia met with Lisa Simms (NJ Tree Foundation) to walk fourteen potential Rosedale Avenue planting sites. Lisa will provide a quote to procure the trees and plant this fall. Parks Advisory Committee Mike met with the homeowner at 105 Ridgedale Avenue who is concerned that vines are killing the trees. Mike explained that unless they get into the actual canopy, the largest risk is that they hide defects on the trunks of the trees making potential hazards hard to see. If they get into the canopy, there is also some risk of affecting the health of the trees. The large question is, where is the property line between the Borough park access and the resident? There are some trees that could warrant having the vines cut. The homeowner will be asked to share a property survey to determine responsibilities. Old Business The Board discussed holding off paying an ArborPro yearly maintenance, update and support bill. New Business Nancy had emailed, suggesting the Landmark Tree list be finalized (Mike and Vince) and to plan to move the Space Shuttle white pine on Library property (Vince). The Board adjourned at 9:30am. Minutes submitted by Christine Hammitt.