Shade Tree Management Board

Shade Tree Management Board Madison, NJ 07940 Minutes of November 16, 2023 The Shade Tree Management Board held its regular meeting at 8:15 AM on Thursday, November 16, 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 x Member Miller, S x Member Bruce, N Member Daley, B x MEC Cracovia, G x Member O’Brien, K x DPW Honohan, J x Member Wolowicz, R 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 October minutes; motion carried. 1 Arborist report: Tree Removal Permits Service Requests 2 Public Trees: • Robin will ask Rich about dead trees on Loantaka. • Windshield surveys – Judy reports: 200 sites were identified for planting; 12 refusals removed from list; next step is to define which season to plant what; consider how to diversify species and how many to order. • Fall Main Street plantings completed. • Spring 2024 Planting/Tree Order number TBD. Private Trees: • Bridget asked if we can add the reasons for tree removals going forward – question for Rich. Thought is that 70-80% are dead, dying, dangerous. Council Liaison Report, Rachel Ehrlich: • DPW report - leaves being picked up in 3 passes. • MRC - how late should court lights be on? • Town electric lawn mower on the way. • Discussion of managing parking at MRC. • Memorial Park Trails complete. • Library demo/improvements have begun. NJ Shade Tree Federation/CORE Training Chris Schorr presented a review of her experience and suggested we find ways to repair our sidewalks without killing trees; Robin suggested we determine a way to methodically replace our aging trees before they’ve died off; discussion of continuing ed classes. STMB Budget Report Year to Date – 2023 Budget (Total budget of $202,200) 1. Expended: $150,442.81 2. Encumbered: $45,601.84 3. Remaining Balance: $6,155.35 4. Unexpended: $51,757.19 This Month Paid: $17,024 - Honor Tree Service (removals/pruning) $1,627.12 - Richview Consulting $468 - Agricultural Supplies (State farm Ins.?) Zoning Board/TCC Cases: Tom Salaki - Puddingstone House developer on Park Ave. should consider white pines as a privacy screen. 3 MRC •Deer fencing contracted for repair. Rotary Tree Planting Project: •Completed. Tom Salaki asked if we can have more near MRC to shade spectators. Waverly Christmas Tree •Annual Christmas Tree query- do we want to grow our own tree for the downtown? Maybe replace taken trees with native tree plus potential new future Christmas tree. Partner Organizations: MEC: •Bridget – 11/20/23 Morris County Commission meeting on grant for purchasing the Drew Forest. FODF Marching in the Thanksgiving parade. Morristown banning some leaf blowers use Jan-Sept by referendum. More leaf discussions needed here to figure out what to do with them all. Mulch? Ground Cover? FMST: No report. Open Space: No report. Parks: No report. Sustainable Madison: Won Awards! 4