Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of January 18, 2018 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regularly scheduled meeting at 8:00 AM on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in the Trustee’s meeting room of Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Rd., Madison, NJ Call to Order at 8:02 by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of Sunshine Law Present: Gene Cracovia, Nancy Bruce, Stephen Miller, Tom Salaki, Brian Monaghan, Vince Licari, Paul Allocco, Alan Andreas, Judy Honohan, and Council Liaison, Carmela Vitale. Absent: Ken O’Brien, Alice Wade Election of Officers for 2018 Chairman, Gene Cracovia Vice Chairwoman, Nancy Bruce Secretary, Judy Honohan Treasurer, open Minutes Minutes of the December 21, 2017 meeting were approved. Public Contacts See discussion on ash tree removals, below. Council Liaison Report A presentation by Tom Salaki on Summerhill Park Arboretum plans and progress will be made at the January 22 Council meeting. At the February 26th Council meeting Chairman Gene Cracovia will update the council on our 2017 accomplishments and the five year plan goals for STMB. Borough Tree Status  Removal of 12 ash trees on Noe is complete. One resident was unaware the work was planned and a second requested replacement landscaping to screen his view of the cemetery across Noe. The borough will proceed with the planned Noe tree replacement (dogwood, redbud and amelanchier). The resident’s landscaper is welcome to contact the our arborist on any additional planting ideas. Burnet Rd. ash tree removal is incomplete (to the concern of local residents and passing drivers). 6 of 23 trees were completely removed while some of the remaining were cut back to tree trunks. Honor Tree will complete the work in early 2018. Because of neighborhood concerns regarding the unsightly state of the trees, Carmela will update the Council at the January 22 Council meeting regarding the progress on Burnet Rd. In addition Alan will distribute to local neighbors a second letter explaining the work. Replacement trees will be three oak varieties. Once the work is completed photos will be posted on the Borough Facebook page. 2018 Tree Planting Order Penny compiled an order for 105 trees. 20 are earmarked for Burnet and 23 for Noe. Gene to provide members a copy of the order sent out for bids. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee) As liaison, Alan will walk the property on Fairview adjoining Summerhill Park. The two dwelling property is under consideration for subdividing. He will evaluate trees that might be affected, possible construction traffic patterns, potential grading issues affecting trees near property lines. It was observed that tree protection enforcement is a continuing problem. Suggestion was made that we provide tags for borough trees explaining how to protect them during construction activity. Parks Advisory Committee Paul described two areas for possible goat browsing of poison ivy and other nuisance plants. One area is around the Rosedale ice rink, the second is Summerhill Park. Goats would be fenced or tethered. A possible dog park location has been identified between the Vitale Little League Field and the ice rink. At the ice rink the new “barn” needs a design conforming door and it will be ready to house the donated ice-cleaning equipment. FMST No January meeting. Budget 2017 budgeted $117,650 Expended Dec. 2017 $ 3,610 Expended YTD 2017 $ 88,356.61 Encumbered $ 12,347.75 Unexpended 2017 $ 29,293.39 There was concern that all of the 2017 budget was not used due to bills not being submitted on time (Honor Tree has not billed for Burnet Rd. work completed in 2017). Carmela will propose to the Council keeping the 2018 STMB budget at the 2017 level. Old/New Business Two STMB members and one DPW employee attended Rutgers Tree Day (15 CEU credits). An experimental release of ash borer parasitic wasps is being tried in some state parks. Gene will explore the use of the wasps for release in Madison. Copies of the Five Year Community Forestry Management Plan were distributed. The plan’s goals are identified for the total five year term. Arbor Pro data base training is scheduled at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 22 at DPW. All STMB members will have login ability. The data base keeps track of borough tree species and locations. Tree City Annual Reports been submitted and we should receive the Growth Award for the 11th consecutive year. There will be 107 tree plantings in 2018. Resident permission is not required if the planting is between the curb and sidewalk which is the borough right of way. If there is no sidewalk, STMB will consider a resident’s request to not plant a tree. All residents will be notified by mail of future plantings. The Board to take retiring member Penny Garman to lunch at Charlie Brown’s. Date confirmation will be by email. Meeting adjourned at 9:27. Next Meeting: Thursday, February 15, 8:00 AM Submitted by Judy Honohan.