Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of June 20, 2019 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regularly scheduled meeting at 8:00 AM on Thursday, June 20, 2019 in the Committee Room of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of the Sunshine Law. Members present: Alan Andreas, Gene Cracovia, Brian Monaghan, Tom Salaki, Vince Licari, Stephen Miller and Nancy Bruce Members absent: Alice Wade and Judy Honohan Liaisons present: Ken O’Brien (DPW), Paul Allocco (Parks) Absent: Maureen Byrne (Council), Joan Maccari (MEC) Borough Staff present: Frank Russo Minutes: May 23, 2019 minutes approved as submitted. Public contacts/correspondence: No major concerns. Council Liaison: No report. Borough Tree Status:  Contacts/Removals/Pruning: Vince reported that there have been 114 inquiries year-to-date - almost all requests by residents have been met.  Spring tree plantings: If available, 14 Yellow wood trees will be planted in the fall.  A utility bill insert will be sent in August to spark interest and requests for trees by residents for 2020.  Frank Russo reported that there are plans to remove trees at the DPW yard to make room for a recycling area. Financial Report: 2019 budget $130,500 Expended May Honor Tree Tree King $675 Total expended YTD $11,680 Encumbered 2019 $93,965 Unexpended 2019 $118,820 Remaining Balance $24,155 Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC): Nothing to report per Alan. Parks Advisory Committee: Tom reported that the final Dog Park vote will be held on Wednesday the 26th. He also noted that Nature Nuts are set, and that the bathroom at Dodge field will be refurbished. It has been determined that some of the ash trees around the Forge building will have to be removed. Trail Days went well with a ribbon cutting at Summerhill Park attended by several council members and Mayor Connelly. Finally, Tom spoke of the effort to pass an ordinance to establish the Parks Advisory Committee as an official government organization. Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): There are plans for Friends to plant specimen trees in “clumps” at the arboretum. It is thought that this will present a more interesting and pleasing look. Old/New Business:  CEU’s were not credited for attendance at the 2019 Rutger’s Tree Day. Gene will look into correcting the problem.  Sidewalk replacement work has not been cleanly cutting roots on Green Ave. Frank will talk to the work crews to remedy the situation.  STMB voted to send a letter to Morris County asking for more details on the ash tree removal program, specifically on any new tree replacement plantings.  MRC meadow restoration passed initial introduction at the last Council Meeting. Final vote will be on June 24th.  There are preliminary plans for Affordable Housing Units to be built on contaminated/fenced-in land at the MRC.  Parks, STMB, and FMST will share a table at the 2019 Bottle Hill Day. Action Items: No new action items Submitted by Brian Monaghan