Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of January 20, 2022 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, January 20, 2022 in the Borough Zoom meeting room. Call to Order by Chairman Gene Cracovia. Statement in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting of the Shade Tree Management Board was provided by transmitting a copy of the meeting notice to the Madison Eagle, Morris County Daily Record, posting a copy on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Borough Hall, and filing a copy in the Office of the Clerk, all on January 11, 2022. Copies of said notice were made available to the general public. Members present: Gene Cracovia, Judy Honohan, Brian Monaghan, Kate Bartley, Stephen Miller, Nancy Bruce, George Limbach, Tom Salaki, Vince Licari Members absent: Liaisons present: Ken O’Brien (DPW), Chris Schorr (FMST), Bridget Daley (MEC), R. Wolowicz, Rachel Erlich (Council) Election of Officers: Approved unanimously Chair: Gene Cracovia Vice Chair: Judy Honohan Treasurer: Steve Miller Secretary: January - Judy Honohan February - Tom Salaki March, April – Brian Monaghan May, June – Kate Bartley July, August – Nancy Bruce September, October – George Limbach November, December – Tom Salaki Minutes: December 2021 minutes approved as submitted. Council Liaison: At the January 10 meeting Council passed the Climate Action Resolution. What does the Climate Action resolution (R 38-2022) do?  Acknowledges the urgent need to address climate change through reduction of greenhouse gases by a significant reduction of the burning of fossil fuels.  Underscores the need to protect public health, the economy, and our natural and built environment by increasing resiliency and strengthening our community against climate impacts.  Supports NJ state goals requiring municipal-level climate action.   Identifies the Climate Action Process, an annually recurring review to help Madison incorporate greenhouse gas reduction and climate resiliency into the Borough’s planning and budgeting process. The resolution actions will be incorporated into budgeting goals and metrics will be identified and measured annually. Next step is to establish an ad hoc committee for the pilot program. STMB should have representation and anyone interested should contact Rachel. Public Contacts/Correspondence: 2022 tree pruning bids will be opened on 1/27. There has been a dramatic reduction in tree canopy in the area of Burnet and Troy Ct. as visible in Google. Lisa Jordan of Drew University is willing to have her students repeat a tree canopy study (40% of land) on campus to collect new data. Two of the tree species planned for Main St. pear replacement are cultivars of native species. The cultivar provides better street life, tolerance of heat and salt and resists environmental stresses. The cultivar like the native is beneficial to wildlife and insects. Tree Ordinance: 11 Hillside developer violated the Tree Ordinance. Recommended remediation is:  Six trees to be planted on site and 2 street trees.  $3,150 to be contributed to the Tree Fund (9 missing trees at $350 each)  $10,000 also be contributed to the Tree Fund since the replacement trees will not make up the loss in canopy for many years.  A new permit application must be submitted for $225 The borough canopy loss due to trees aging out requires even more vigilance and replacement trees. In 2021 80% of removals were ash, oaks and maples. Any ailanthus (invasive and host of spotted lantern fly) when removed should have the stump treated or deeply ground to prevent regrowth. Replacement should be with a different species, preferably native. Lot size vs planting area is a concern. Should there be mandatory replacement for dead/dying trees? Permits are the responsibility of the homeowner not the tree company though both should be accountable. FMST and STMB could offer a stipend for tree replacement when there is a financial need. Tree fund money is intended for plantings on public property nearest the removal site. TCC (Technical Coordinating Committee): Gene will relay FMST concerns about lot size vs building footprint eliminating tree planting spaces. Parks Advisory Committee: no report Open Space: No meeting. Budget Report: January 19, 2022 2021 Budget $154,500.00 Expenditures- Honor Tree (pending) $7,791 $7,791 Total expended YTD $135,988.57 Encumbered $13,308.38 Unexpended $18,511.43 Remaining Balance $5,203.05 2022 preliminary budget $154,500.00 Friends of Madison Shade Trees (FMST): Mullins Grove received unanimous Council approval. There is a planned three-year phase in with 5-6 trees planted spring 2022. Once established it will require little or no maintenance as a self-sustaining woodland. FMST is exploring a partnership with J&M to encourage planting of recommended species. Cost could be shared. MEC: Bridget will help with Arbor Day planning. A native plant sale is planned and could include seedling give-away. There are MEC webinars upcoming and MEC is developing an environmental check list for zoning and planning boards. Arbor Day- May Day: Schools will participate again in Arbor Day celebrations on May 7 at Hartley Dodge. State will provide free tree seedlings. Tom will coordinate distribution with Drew. Tree varieties cannot be selected by Madison. Recommend individuals take five seedlings to improve chance of successful planting of at least one. Landmark Tree register must be updated in 2022. Tree City and Growth Award applications are in. Sustainable Madison: Needs new liaison from STMB for 2022. Meets 1:00 third Tuesday each month. The potential Solar Forts at MRC and Memorial Park will have little tree impact. Action Items: Gene: Provide Tom with Drew seedling give-away contact Judy and Tom: forward spring species and quantities to Kevin O’Keefe for RFP. Judy: For compliance statement get specific publication date from Liz Osborne. Judy: Provide minutes template and guidelines on Secretary position to all. Ken and Gene: Determine Mullins Grove water source. Gene: Explore with borough whether Tree fund money could also be used to plant on private property. Steve: Investigate status of ArborPro voucher for 2021 All: Volunteer needed for Climate Action pilot program ad hoc committee. Also need liaison to Sustainable Madison. Submitted by, Judy Honohan