Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of October 19, 2017 Meeting The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular monthly meeting on September 21, 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, Carmela Vitale, Brian Monaghan, Vince Licari, Ken O’Brien, and Paul Allocco. Minutes: The September minutes were approved. The Board addressed the following items of business: Public Contacts  Three oaks that were compromised at the 10 Alexander Street construction site prompted a summons to be issued to the contractor. The court date is 10-17-17. The trees will have to be removed. A request has been made that a red bud on the corner of Ridgedale and Myrtle be moved. There were many positive comments about the Board’s booth at Bottle Hill Day. Council Liaison Report  Carmella noted that there have been several inquiries about a town tree ordinance. In response, the Board suggested that the previous unpassed ordinance be tried again. Also, the topic of better enforcement was discussed. Carmella suggested that maybe Madison could use the Chatham arborist for enforcement via the shared services program. Carmella will bring up both topics with town council. Borough Tree Status  Removals/Pruning Ken O’Brien said that he is currently working on the specifications for the next two-year removal and pruning contract. The specs should go out during the next two weeks  It was noted that the billing delays with Honor are slowly being resolved.  Penny reported that there were 105 removals on the list.  Ken mentioned that the street trees on Main between Central and Green Village need to be pruned. Also, consideration for future replacement of the Downtown trees should begin. Suggestions will be collected at future meetings.   Construction / Street Tree Protection - No update TCC  Alan reported that the 2 trees on South Oak Court that were to be saved, one is dead, and the other is dying. They will have to be removed. Fall Windshield Survey  Penny reminded all that the surveys were due by November’s meeting. She requests that type of trees to be planted, order of priority, and dead and dangerous trees be included in the survey. Budget Report  2017 projected budget $117,650  Expended This Month: $10,812.50  Total Expended YTD $66,601.25  Encumbered $16,028.75  Unexpended $51,048.75 FMST The FMST/STMB plan for the Summerhill Arboretum has been put on hold until the Summerhill’s Trail Grant request is processed. OLD BUSINESS  ArborPro did not make the requested changes to highlight individual trees. All other problems seemed to have been resolved. Gene mentioned that a replacement for Penny needs to be found. COMMUNITY FORESTRY PLAN  Nancy reported that the final draft of the new 5-year plan has been emailed to members. She would like to get the plan approved and sent to the state by November. NEW BUSINESS  No new business was discussed. PARKS ADVISORY COMMITEE  Paul said that STMB will help pay for some tree removal in the Summerhill Arboretum.  Lucy D. Anthony - it was proposed that the 6 trees to be planted in the park should be as large as possible. It was determined that STMB will pay for the trees. Board Adjourned 9:33 am Submitted by Brian Monaghan