Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of August 20, 2020 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Gibbons Pines Park, Madison. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of the Sunshine Law. Members present: Gene Cracovia, Judy Honohan, Stephen Miller, Nancy Bruce, Alice Wade, Brian Monaghan, Alan Andreas, Vince Licari Members absent: Tom Salaki Liaisons present: Joan Maccari (MEC), Rich Wolowicz (Arborist), Ken O’Brien (DPW) Liaisons absent: Maureen Byrne (Council), Frank Russo (Borough Engineer) Guest: Leah O’Gorman, Summer Intern Minutes: July 2020 minutes approved as submitted. Public contacts/correspondence: About 25 public trees came down in the 8/4/20 storm. Maple St. had both trees and poles down and will need about five trees replaced. Around the borough many of the downed trees had no visible stresses but were found to be hollowed out or rotted. STMB needs to develop a process for residents to report or document fallen tree removals so records are accurate. Council Liaison: No report. Tree Protection Ordinance: Arborist had 37 service requests for the month: 17 for pruning, 18 for removal, 3 of uncertain ownership. Fourteen permits were issued for the removal of 22 trees with 3 replantings required. Borough Tree Status: All quadrants (except NW) have been surveyed since the 8/4 storm. Input from the borough attorney is required to determine ownership status of linden trees on Highview Terrace. The fall planting list is ready. There are 112 existing sites which will need re- marking. Twenty of the trees will be replacement pines for Gibbons Pines Park once the park is regraded. Delivery is expected on October 1 from Barton. The health of trees should be protected during sidewalk and road construction or repair. Jeopardized or weak trees could be removed before work is begun. New plantings could be of trees with more taproot structure and less horizontal root growth. Different sidewalk replacement techniques should be explored. With permission from owners, Morristown will plant outside the ROW and maintain the tree for up to two years after which it becomes the owner’s responsibility. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): Burger King is considering underwriting the cost of removal/replacement of the ROW borough pear trees. The replacement trees would come from a borough approved list Financial Report: August 19, 2020 2020 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Honor Tree $17,485.50 Richview Consulting $1,673.62 Total expended YTD $42,143.80 Encumbered $55,524.20 Unexpended $112,356.20 Remaining Balance $56,832.00 Parks Advisory Committee: Committee is providing a maintenance list to DPW after each meeting. Committee members should look for dangerous trees near trails while checking trail maintenance needs. Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): No report Old/New Business: Rose Garden Park has been accepted into the American Gardens Archives at the Smithsonian. Action Items: Gene will develop a process for documenting the loss of residential trees without permits. Gene and Ken will have borough attorney determine ownership of Highview Terr. Street trees. STMB should clarify the process of protecting trees before sidewalk or roadwork is begun. Submitted by Judy Honohan