Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of April 16, 2020 The Shade Tree Management Board held a ‘virtual’ meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of the Sunshine Law. Members present: Gene Cracovia, Judy Honohan, Brian Monaghan, Stephen Miller, Alan Andreas, Nancy Bruce Members absent: Alice Wade, Tom Salaki, Vince Licari Liaisons present: Maureen Byrne (Council), Joan Maccari (MEC), Ken O’Brien (DPW), Liaisons absent: Paul Allocco (Parks Advisory) Borough Arborist present: Rich Wolowicz Minutes: February 2020 minutes approved as submitted. There was no March 2020 meeting as Stay-at-home safety measures were in effect due to COVID-19 concerns. Public contacts/correspondence: The ash tree on the Luke Miller property will be re- evaluated in June. A home adjacent to the Luke Miller House has been removed and trees cleared in the process. Council Liaison: May Day events have been postponed. Tree Protection Ordinance: Rich Wolowicz has been retained as Madison’s Arborist under the Tree Protection Ordinance. Four permits have been processed to date, six trees approved for removal and one tree replacement required. Two property owners removed trees without permits (Parklane, Central Ave.) They will be required to file for permits retroactively noting removals already complete. There will be a transition period as residents learn about the new ordinance. Rich is also covering for Vince while he is out of state. Borough Tree Status: Spring planting: Ken is negotiating with Barton to request delivery of only 25 trees this spring. Staffing and safety of DPW workers may impact the planting of all 120 trees. Remaining trees may be delayed until late summer or fall. If able to limit delivery to 25 Ken will ascertain likely species and Tom and Judy will match those with locations and tree requests. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): FDU is expanding its ball field requiring tree removals. Rich will inspect potential removals and recommend replacement species. FDU has committed to 1:1 replacement or payment into Tree Fund. Financial Report: March 11, 2020 2020 Budget $130,500 Expenditures- Honor Tree $ Total expended YTD $ Encumbered $82,000 Unexpended $ Remaining Balance $48,500 April 15, 2020 2020 Budget $130,500 Expenditures- Honor Tree $2,323 Total expended YTD $2,343 Encumbered $79,677 Unexpended $128,177 Remaining Balance $48,500 Parks Advisory Committee: no report Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): No report Old/New Business: Senior Center: Six trees have been donated for planting at the center. Locations for planting are to be determined. STMB also has a tree for the center. Arbor Day: Events have been cancelled. Nancy will work with Maureen to see if a virtual celebration can be organized. Tree City has waived the Arbor Day requirement for 2020. The Arbor Day Proclamation will be read at the next Council meeting. Madison Environmental Commission: Is offering pollinator plant seedlings for free. One per family while supply lasts. Joan Maccari is the contact. Submitted by Judy Honohan