Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of September 21, 2023 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:15 AM on Thursday, September 21, 2023. 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, 2023. Copies of said notice were made available to the general public. Attendance Name Present Role Name Present Role Bartley, K Member Miller, S x Member Bruce, N x Member Daley, B x MEC Cracovia, G x Member O’Brien, K x DPW Honohan, J x Member Wolowicz, R x Arborist Trynin, R x Alternate Schorr, C x FMST Limbach, G x Alternate Ehrlich, R x Council Monaghan, B x Member Salaki, T x Member Minutes Approval Motion to approve August minutes; motion carried. • Public / Private Trees • Public Trees o Ken reported that when Honor completes a list, they are paid. Contract will be extended into 2024. Next contract will include additional fees for climbing and maintaining trees within forested areas. o Fall Main Street Planting - Judy confirmed that container trees will be delivered Oct 3, 2023. o Windshield Surveys to be completed by the end of October. o (Rich) See Service Request Summary Table in Attachment 1. 1  • Private Trees (Rich) o 25 Niles - Oak tree removed from backyard same day as permit requested. Not a hazard but dealing with that. o 133 Green Village - neighbors don’t want trees to come down and the builder is not doing the work yet so situation moving slowly. George and Rich will visit the site. o See Monthly Permit Status Report in Attachment 2. • Council Liaison Report (Rachel): o Will report at next Council meeting about main street pear trees being replaced so the public knows what’s going on. o Pickleball courts almost done and lighting going up October; pedestrian walkways being completed. o Maybe add shrubs to increase view of bump-out for pedestrian safety and maybe remove little trees for better visibility. o Mulch going in at the dog park by Parks department. Parks advisory is looking for feedback if this is good for dogs. o Parks Advisory also discussing MRC overflow parking issues. Seems like there needs to be a task force for messaging, signage, parking, reinforcing parking lot borders so not parking on the grass at MRC. Who should coordinate that effort? Parks? Need one meeting of all interested parties. Tom and Rachel will work on the next steps. • TCC/Zoning Board Cases (Gene) o Vet moving to bowling alley. o Bank of America enhancing lighting. o 20-23 Belmont Ave. (P23-001) Want to put another building; plans are deemed to be incomplete. Concerned about losing a large oak and impact on a Landmark designated black walnut. MEC suggested to the Housing Authority to use Library parking and leave the Oak. • MRC Deer Fencing (Gene) Oak Tree came down on deer fencing two weeks ago. Ken reported 80ft fencing wiped out and insurance claim being put in. Discussed if 17 acres deer fencing still necessary? What is it for? Chis replied: To recreate native woodland systems. First Fence, then remove invasives, then plant understory with natives and it becomes woodland ecosystem. Drew Forest is an example. Consider yearly fence maintenance as reforestation is ongoing. • Grant Opportunities Chris: recent grant opportunity was not a helpful amount of money because of restriction on use and timing did not apply. • STMB Budget Report o (Ken) A lot of tree work happening this year. How is it all affecting budget? Salt budget is not being fully utilized so it may help overall budget. Pear trees on Main Street will be taken down by Honor which will be an additional cost. 2  o (Steve) Line budget items: Invoices for FMST for Rose Garden Park, trees for planting in fall and Honor. o Budget Summary Report in Attachment 3. • NJTF Conference/Training – registrations are being processed. • Partner Organizations o FMST - house and garden tour, seedlings given away with planting instructions. Cranford passed tree ordinance and so did Mountain Lakes ($10K fine for clear cutting because it is messing up Lake). New Providence also working on getting a Shade Tree Commission. (Gene) Formal survey for Rose Garden Park being done for $3000. o MEC (Bridget) - Native plant sale successful as was the talk about organic lawn care; lots of tickets sold so new people introduced to green ideas. Yard Sale coming up Oct 5; Farmer’s Market native plant give away and Bottle Hill Day at MEC table on Waverly place; early Oct. newsletter coming out. Asked Rachel if the LED lamps are wildlife and pollinator friendly. Need real amber color at multipurpose courts. Bob Vogel reported that light delivery for the pickleball court will be towards the end of the year. 3K lights more compatible with environmental impacts. Getting yellowest light, you can buy. 4 lights on two poles. Targeted and well-controlled fixtures. Designed to not go beyond fence line and will have a timer. Submitted by Robin Trynin 3  Attachment 1 Service No Yard Health Requests # Rqsts # trees remove Prune Work Stump Question Msc Dept Jan 1 1 1 Feb 8 8 5 3 March 6 7 1 2 4 April 26 64 37 16 7 4 May 20 50 5 9 31 7 June 24 38 7 7 2 1 July 19 53 19 32 2 Aug 20 35 16 11 3 7 2 Sept 6 7 4 0 2 1 Oct Nov Dec Total 130 263 94 81 47 0 24 0 2 Memorial Outer Inner Park Parkside Perim Perim 12 or 12 or less 31 less 7 3 14-18 45 12-14 14 5 18-24 25 14-18 3 3 24-30 15 18-24 3 5 30+ 8 24-30 2 2 Total 124 30+ 3 1 Total 32 19 4  Attachment 2 RW: # # Trees 2023 RW # TREES TO RW: RW: Denied PERMITS BE PLANTING RECOM Permit to INSPECTED REMOVED OBLIG PLANTING Rmve January 10 18 25 6 1 February 3 2 0 2 March 5 10 21 2 April 21 37 8 27 1 May 29 69 66 26 3 June 15 25 12 13 July 14 53 4 31 August 13 20 6 10 1 4 6 1 5 September *** October November December Total 114 240 143 122 6 *** incomplete month 5  Attachment 3 Madison Shade Tree Management Board Budget Report As of September 20, 2023 Year to Date – 2023 Budget (Total budget of $202,200)  Expended: $115,485.14  Encumbered: $60,227.51  Remaining Balance: $26,487.35  Unexpended: $86,714.86 This Month Paid: $35,387.50 - Honor Tree Service (removals) Pending: $989.97 - FMST (rose garden park) $7,228 - Plant Detectives Inc. 6