Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of November 18, 2021 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, November 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, Brian Monaghan, Kate Bartley, Stephen Miller, Nancy Bruce, Alan Andreas, Tom Salaki, Vince Licari Members absent: Liaisons present: Joan Maccari (MEC), R. Duffy (DPW), Rebecca Bertrand (Parks), Chris Schorr (FMST), Bridget Daley (MEC) Minutes: October 2021 minutes approved as corrected. Public Contacts/Correspondence: Removal contract RFP will go out by early January with the potential change that bid would include cost to remove trees over distance as opposed to per hour of work. DPW has nothing major to report regarding public trees. The ash tree at Miller House will be removed. Removal permits were sought for 10 trees, 8 dying, two needing replacement. There is a need to educate residents that removing small trees will reduce future canopy. Maintenance of trees in private parking lots is often poor and is an area of concern that needs to be addressed. Tree Ordinance needs some revision after almost two years. The permit should have; a recommended planting list on the reverse, final date for required planting, the recommendation that all removed trees be replaced. Existing algorithms of ratio of square footage to number of trees will be explored for possible inclusion. Council Liaison: No report Public Planting: Spring planting sites are identified with specie recommendations. A revised letter to residents will be mailed this fall. Main Street plantings will be delayed until fall 2022. Vince has a list of about 20 additional planting sites. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): Starbucks relocation across Main St. requires a zoning change and the removal of 11 trees although no landscape plan has been presented. Drew Forest Preservation: The preservation petition containing more than 10,000 signatures was presented to Council. There will be a float in the Thanksgiving Parade. Tree Ordinance revisions could be helpful in protecting the forest. Training and CEUs: Tree Federation talks can be viewed online for CEUs. Rutgers Tree Day is scheduled for January 11 at County College of Morris. STMB has reached the minimum of 8 CEUs for 2021. Requiring each member to earn one CEU per year should be explored. November 18, 2021 2021 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Honor Tree $15,422 $21,422 NJ Tree Foundation $6,000 Total expended YTD $97,747.71 Encumbered $42,249.24 Unexpended $56,752.29 Remaining Balance $14,503.05 Parks Advisory Committee: Raised planter at Memorial Park needs a replacement tree. Rebecca will check on species requirement. MRC newly planted dawn redwoods have been heavily damaged by deer rubbing their antlers. More dead and dying trees in trail areas are scheduled for removal in Summerhill Park. Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): Focus in 2022 will be replacement of all lost trees, educating the public about the cost efficiencies of well-placed trees and how they increase house value. STMB recommended planting list will be provided to FMST. They will explore a partnership with J&M for single tree plantings. MEC: A native pollinator plant sale is planned for April 30, 2022. On 4/27 and 4/29 plants will be assembled and ready for pick-up. FMST will explore giving away a free tree to each purchaser. This fall MEC is encouraging “leave the leaves” for residents. The YMCA new construction plantings are in but still in roped burlap. Open Space: Recommended to Council a change in the assessed tax rate from 1.8 to 2 cents per $100 assessed value. Sustainable Madison: For the second year in a row (third time overall) Madison received the Champions Silver Award for towns with populations between 5,000 and 40,000. Chairperson Kathi Caccavale was honored as “Sustainablity Hero.” Madison’s point total of 850 was second in the state to only Woodbridge. STMB Membership Roles: Terms expiring in December 2021; Licari, Monaghan, Andreas. All encouraged to consider changing or growing their role in 2022. Brian Monaghan and Vince Licari will continue. Action Items: Rich: provide information on percent of 2021 trees removed that were ash. Judy: Provide list of spring 2022 planting sites to Borough Clerk for resident letters. Gene: Check on NJ seedings for 2022. Brian, Chris, Gene, Nancy, Judy, Rich: Review Tree Ordinance for possible updating. Submitted by Judy Honohan