Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of February 18, 2021 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, February 18, 2021 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, Alan Andreas, Nancy Bruce, Vince Licari, Tom Salaki, Brian Monaghan Members absent: Liaisons present: Joan Maccari (MEC), Rich Wolowicz (Arborist), John Hoover (Council), Chris Schorr (Friends of Madison Shade Trees), Lisa Ellis, Bridget Daley Liaisons absent: Ken O’Brien (DPW), Michael Pelessier (Communications) Minutes: January 2021 minutes approved as corrected. Public contacts/correspondence: Arborist inspected 7 sites involving 8 trees. One required no work, 3 needed pruning and 4 will be removed. Seventeen private tree removal permits were issued in January. Fourteen require replanting. To date in February 4 permits have been issued for the removal of 5 trees, one requiring replacement. Arborist will verify that 2020 replanting requirements are being met. Honor Tree will prune trees on Main from Green Village to Prospect. No trees will be topped. Craig Erezuma of St. Vincent Martyr’s Boy Scout Troop 7 presented ideas on a nursery for annual borough Christmas trees. Douglas fir and Norway spruce were species options considered with possible nursery locations being borough parks, other properties or corporate land. Questions remain as to frequency and number of plantings for the troop to undertake. Council Liaison: John Hoover will present the Arborist 2020 report to Council on Feb. 22. He will check with Bob Vogel (borough engineer) regarding Cook Ave parking lot renovation plan. Spring 2021 Planting: Order has been submitted through the borough for bids. In order to reduce substitutions of species borough has the option of choosing individual species from different vendors. Plantings of the 112 trees will occur mainly on Main, Park, Woodland and Madison with a few other scattered sites. Horse chestnut trees were included for Summerhill Park in order to provide food for wildlife. The resident letter will be revised with the goal of reducing resistance to street trees. Windshield surveys should be conducted after leaf-out (or a major storm) to assess any damage and complete spring planting mark outs. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): 98 Main (Provident Bank) is planning construction in the parking lot facing Elmer. This involves removal of a significant street tree at the planned egress. Replacement or other solutions to this loss should be explored. STMB has historically not been involved with Zoning issues but under the new Master Plan should receive notice from the Planning Board. In addition MEC and Sustainable Madison should have a larger role at the planning stage. Financial Report: February 18, 2021 2021 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Total expended YTD $0 Encumbered Honor, Arborist $95,000 Unexpended $0 Remaining Balance $59,500.00 National Arbor Day Conference: has included info from Tree City members.  No species should be greater than 5% of inventory  Canopy goals should be measurable  Plant in heat sink and neglected areas to improve local cooling  Bare root and succession planting are being used  $ may be available for partnerships  Kentucky coffee and shagbark hickory are suggested species alternatives Rutgers Tree Day: Feb. 17.  Help manage pests by using the right tree, in the right place, at the right time  When doing risk assessments use photos to document change (can be done in ArborPro)  When a tree exhibits stress, take the time to walk around it for causes Core Training: John Hoover and Kate Bartley are registered Tree Line USA: A recognition of utility companies that follow Best Practices. Madison could apply or simply follow guidelines. Gene has shared info with Madison Electric. Parks Advisory Committee: Master Plan bidders are down to a final three. Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST Chris Schorr): Has received donations to plant a grove of trees in honor of Judy Mullins. The group is improving public awareness through social media. MEC: Green Vision Forum date is March 24. MEC along with Garden Club and others are promoting native plantings to create “backyard national parks.” Sustainable Madison: Requires updated info from 2019 and 2020 ArborPro. Open Space: Brian is new liaison and will contact Open Space chair. Action Items: Tom will contact Kevin (borough) regarding $ amount below which a bidding process is not required Submitted by Judy Honohan