Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of August 17, 2017 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on August 17, 2017 beginning at 8:00 AM in the Committee Room of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ. Call to Order: Gene Cracovia called the meeting to order. Present: Gene Cracovia, Penny Garman, Alice Wade, Nancy Bruce, Stephen Miller, Alan Andreas, Tom Salaki, Brian Monaghan, Vince Licari, Carmela Vitale, and Paul Alloca. Not Attending: Ken O’Brien Minutes: The July minutes were approved. The Board addressed the following items of business: Public Contacts • A resident on Glendale contacted Carmela regarding having the town trim the trees on her property. Need to determine if home owner’s or town trees. • Many complaints regarding the NJT tree removal project. (see Council Liaison Report on NJT Discussion) Council Liaison Report • NJT Tree Removals – due to the far greater extent of tree removals and the impact on adjacent properties several recommendations were offered. 1. Conduct a neighborhood meeting to discuss what replacement trees should be considered. 2. Perhaps FMST could donate trees as replacements 3. Revisit a private tree ordinance proposal 4. Work on enforcement of current right of way rules – this was thought to be a higher priority then a private tree ordinance. The Board proposed scheduling a meeting with Ray Cody to discuss the options. Borough Tree Status • Removals/Pruning – 78 Removals year to date. • Two oaks to be removed at MRC. The remaining large pin oaks will be fertilized. 15 newer pin oaks along MRC access road will have the brush/trees removed surrounding them. • Two large dead trees on Pomeroy, adjacent to the dell will be removed. TCC • 362 Woodland - construction will probably impact 5 borough trees. Needs to be monitored. • Atlantic Health Project at Giralda Farms – suggestions will be made as to what type of trees should be planted at the entrance. Budget Report • 2017 projected budget $117,650 • Expended This Month: $4,550 Honor Tree Services, $1,470 Tree King • Total Expended YTD $42,703.75 • Encumbered $38,926.25 • Unexpended $74,946.25 FMST No update. OLD BUSINESS • ArborPro Update – Steve said that the property search had been fixed. He also reported that the historical data had been linked. It was agreed that another training session needed to be arranged. • Board vs. Commission – Carmela will set up a meeting with Gene, Nancy, and the town attorney to further discuss the topic. NEW BUSINESS • Annual Tree Conference - scheduled for October 19th and 20th; Tom said he would look into attending. Parks Advisory Committee • Paul said that the Parks Advisory is interested in joining with other ‘Green Committees’ in having a meeting about the Arboretum and other topics. Carmela has talked to the mayor about a meeting and he was enthusiastic. Looking to possibly having it in September. • Lucy D. Anthony - it was proposed that the 6 trees to be planted in the park should be as large as possible. Will talk to FMST about additional funds. Board Adjourned 9:40 am Submitted by Brian Monaghan