Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of September 15, 2022 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:00AM on Thursday, September 15, 2022. It was a hybrid meeting in the Borough’s Committee Room and a Zoom link. 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. Attendance Name Present Role Name Present Role Bartley x Member Miller x Member Bruce x Member Daley x MEC Cracovia x Member Bob Duffy x DPW Honohan x Member Wolowicz x Arborist Licari Member Schorr x FMST Limbach x Alternate Ehrlich x Council Monaghan Alternate Salaki x Member Guests on Zoom: Darren Tapp, Madison Golf Club, President Steve Shannon, Madison Golf Club, Treasurer Chris Stracco, Day Pitney LLP, Counsel for Madison Golf Club Marijane Lundt, Madison Golf Club member, resident of Madison Sue Melone, Madison Golf Club member, resident of Madison Kathi Caccavale, Sustainable Madison Sara Webb, Professor Emerita of Biology and Environmental Studies at Drew University, Forest Ecologist. Minutes Approval Motion to approve May minutes; motion carried. Public Contacts/ Correspondence • Madison Golf Club came back with a request to appeal the arborist’s denial to remove a large oak on its property. A private oak on abutting property had been removed after arborist approval. The tree in question has been aggressively pruned, but the Golf Club believes the problem of early morning shade on the green still exists. After much discussion from both sides, the STMB board voted (6 to 1) to deny tree removal at this time. Rich will continue to evaluate and decision will be revisited in the spring. Resident Service Requests/Tree Removal Permit Requests • Rich reported that calls have significantly increased possibly due to the drought or that residents are returning home from vacation. Many calls are for pruning. • Rich says that one quarter of tree removal permit requests are for private ash trees. • Calls re spotted lantern flies may have peaked. Preliminary research says that birds may be our best defense. We should consider taking out Tree of Heaven in Summerhill in the fall. Public Fall Main Street Plantings: STMB continues Main Street pear replacement project. 22 trees have been ordered; all will be planted on Main Street. Lloyd Tree Plantings: Judy has selected 16 sites for tree plantings this October to satisfy Lloyd’s 12 tree replacement obligation. Council Liaison Report From Councilwoman Rachel Ehrlich: Bob Vogel, Borough Engineer, reported that several water main breaks in town over the summer were found to be caused by extensive water pumping at night, primarily for irrigation. Borough will look for solutions to control water usage during times of drought. Windshield Survey Results: Preliminary results: • Many Norway maples dead/dying • Need to do young tree training pruning • Get homeowners to help by watering new trees • Rich has a long list of trees that need to be assessed Landmark Trees: We have received four nominations or Landmark Trees. Vince will evaluate. Pickleball/ Basketball Courts Proposal: The Open Space Committee has approved funds to build a pickleball/basketball court near the tennis courts next to the high school. Existing trees, mostly ashes, will be removed. STMB and FMST members felt that earlier input from all green groups would have helped the decision process. Both STMB and FMST will submit letters to Mayor/Council with recommendations and comments. Both boards suggested independent analysis of all proposed sites with the goal of avoiding any development of a forested area. 1Giralda Farms Tree Assessment: Owner of this corporate site has provided the Borough a detail assessment of trees on its property. The office building is vacant, and a townhouse development is being considered. The Borough will follow-up with having its arborist verify the assessment report. STMB Budget Report Total Budget: $190,200 Year to Date – 2022 Budget  Expended: $99,433.85  Encumbered: $81,029.58  Remaining Balance: $99,736.57  Unexpended: $90,766.15 Partner Organizations: MEC • Eco garden tour September 17 • October 15 town wide garage sale • Doug Tallamay will talk to green groups at “Noon Zoom” Nov 2. Topic will be what is municipalities’ role in creating Homegrown National Parks Friends of Madison Shade Trees • Rotary has given funds to FMST for the redo of Rose Garden Park. Beth Riley will design plans. • FMST will have a table with tree information at the Salaki house during the Eco Garden Tour. • Bottle Hill Day October 1, 2022: no display booth from STMB and FMST this year due to staffing issues DPW Bob Duffy reported that Ken O’Brien requested that we move more of our annual tree plantings to fall. DPW are finding it hard to plant 100 plus trees each spring and would like to split the plantings. Additional: • NJ Tree Federation Conference will be held on October 13 & 14 in Cherry Hill. • Reeves-Reed Arboretum is offering a three-part series “Fall in Love With Trees”. CEU credits are available. Submitted by Nancy Bruce