Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of December 17, 2020 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, December 17, 2020 in the Borough Zoom meeting room. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Reading of the Sunshine Law. Members present: Gene Cracovia, Judy Honohan, Stephen Miller, Kate Bartley, Brian Monaghan, Alan Andreas, Nancy Bruce, Vince Licari Members absent: Tom Salaki Liaisons present: Joan Maccari (MEC), Rich Wolowicz (Arborist), Maureen Byrne (Council), Ken O’Brien (DPW), Chris Schorr (Friends of Madison Shade Trees) Liaisons absent: Minutes: November 2020 minutes approved as corrected. Public contacts/correspondence: Four public trees were inspected resulting in one removal and three scheduled for pruning. Storm damaged trees are predominantly ashes and maples with trunk cavities. Fall Tree Planting: Gibbons Pines is done. Thirty-two fall delivery trees have yet to be planted. If possible, they will be planted this winter otherwise they will be held dormant in old wood chip beds and planted in spring. Tree Protection Ordinance: A tree removal permit at 14 Highview Terr. was approved retroactively as the tree was failing. There were 11 permit requests for 16 trees filed in November. Of those, four required replacement trees. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): no report. Financial Report: December 23, 2020 2020 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Honor Tree $8,554.00 Richview Consulting $2,341.92 Total expended YTD $84,791.84 Encumbered $69,346.16 Unexpended $69,708.16 Remaining Balance $272.00 Reduced Borough revenues for 2021 will impact budget requests. Tree City 2021 and Growth Awards: Growth Awards requirements were met by hiring a forester (10 points for Rich Wolowicz!). Tree City applications are now completed online. Parks Advisory Committee: No report from 12/15 meeting. Parks Master Plan bids are back but scope may be changed to passive uses only. If scope is changed new RFPs will be issued. Council has approved a controlled burn of the meadow at MRC and purchase of wildflower seeds for replanting. Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST Chris Schorr): Request forms for public tree plantings could be available as often as every other year. Guidelines on locations and space needs will be made clear. Exploring options for special plantings to honor Judy Mullins in whose memory donations were received. MEC: Has a video available of its Council presentation of recent and pending activities. Committee is establishing climate-action-plan working groups cooperatively with other municipalities. Old/New Business: Board roles: Please provide Judy with a brief description of your role on the Board. This will facilitate any new assignments. Action Items: Gene: Check with Ray regarding status of letter to residents of Highview Terr clarifying Public vs Private trees. Tom: Provide guidance on spring planting tree species. All: Growth Award options on Jan. agenda should be reviewed for your preferences. Submitted by Judy Honohan