Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of May 20, 2021 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, May 20, 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, Brian Monaghan Members absent: Tom Salaki Liaisons present: Joan Maccari (MEC), Rich Wolowicz (Arborist), Chris Schorr (Friends of Madison Shade Trees), Ken O’Brien (DPW) Liaisons absent: Michael Pelessier (Communications), Bridget Daley, John Hoover (Council), Lisa Ellis Minutes: April 2021 minutes approved. Public Contacts/Correspondence: There are general concerns about ash trees but they are naturally late-leafing and will be watched. Honor Tree is making headway on the ash removal backlog. Rich will bring a Salem Oak sapling back from Ocean City. It will be nurtured over the next one/two years by Cerbo before planting in Madison in a yet to be determined location. Seventeen service requests were received and 23 trees evaluated. A dead ash on Delbarton will be downed and left in the wood. Vince is checking on need for removals in lots on Cook Ave and Elmer St. From May 1-19, two permits were requested, resulting in 12 removals, 6 replantings, and no recommended plantings. Numerous diseased trees will be removed on Union Hill Rd to allow for redevelopment. Council Liaison: No report Spring 2021 Planting: Thirty or so trees remain to be planted. All in the ground have Gator Bags. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee: YMCA landscape plans may not have gone through TCC. The landscaping plans for the Heller Property adjacent to Masonic Lodge will be reviewed. Starbucks is exploring relocation to the closed bank in the Staples shopping center. Madison Projects: Anthony Wayne will get curbing, sidewalks and repaving. A couple of trees are slated for removal but not yet marked. Cook Ave lot redesign is in negotiation for utility placements. Trees for lot #3 (adjacent to public safety building) are likely to be the same type of maples with a watering system in place. Financial Report: May 20, 2021 2021 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Total expended YTD $1,669.52 Encumbered $113,525.48 Unexpended $152,815.05 Remaining Balance $39,289.57 Parks Advisory Committee: No May meeting Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST Chris Schorr): Will vote on a resolution to preserve the Drew Woodlands and forward same to Council. MEC: In coordination with Great Swamp Watershed more than 3000 native plant plugs were sold, about 1000 to Madison residents. There will be a monthly Environmental column in the Eagle written by MEC. Sustainable Madison: Tree maintenance component is complete. First submission is due June 6. Arbor Day: Held successfully in Summerhill Park on May 1. Council, STMB, Boy Scouts, Friends of Madison Shade Trees were there to dedicate the three new horse chestnut trees. 2022 is the year for Madison to update its Landmark Tree list. Open Space: On 5/20 the Advisory Committee will consider a resolution to preserve some or all the 45 acres of Drew forest currently being considered for sale and possible development. There is also a group, “Friends of Drew Woodlands,” forming. Gene will adapt the Open Space Drew Woodlands resolution for STMB and forward to all for review. A vote on same was 7 in favor, 1 abstention (Licari). Action Items: Ken will check 24 Delbarton trees for drainage issues. Tom and Vince will review Y planting email Gene and Alan will follow up on Starbucks plans Steve will send all the link to the new ArborPro video Gene and Nancy will review the Madison Landmark Tree list. Gene will attend an area meeting of Shade Tree Chairs on June 22. June 17 meeting may be held outside at the Community Garden. Submitted by Judy Honohan