Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Westwood Shade Tree Committee Meeting Minutes Westwood Borough Hall September 13, 7:00PM Present: Gil TenHoeve - President Absent: None Fred Rella - Secretary Beth Staples Guests: Carrie Sargeant Jeff Ocher (NJDEP, Div. Parks & Forestry) Chris Montana • Gil TenHoeve called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. • The July 12, 2016 Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved; motion by Beth Staples, second by Jeff Ocher. • Gil introduced guest speaker, Carrie Sargeant, Asst. Regional Coordinator, NJDEP, Division of Parks and Forestry. o Ms. Sargeant spoke about the Community Forestry Program.
Goals and Objectives
Participant Benefits including; grants and Sustainable NJ
Westwoods Prior Participation
Process to become a Participant o It was agreed by the Shade Tree Committee that we would like to participate in the Community Forestry Program once again and we would begin the process which would take approximately 6 months to complete.
Fred Rella would oversee the Program Application.
Jeff Ocher would fulfill the training requirement. o Beth Staples offered to write a press release on our meeting with Ms. Sargeant for the local newspaper. Westwood Shade Tree Committee Meeting Minutes – September 13, 2016 Page 2 of 2 • Fred Rella bought up that Westwood should once again become a member of, “Tree City USA”. o It was agreed by the Committee that this was a good idea and we would pursue becoming a member. o Fred offered to take the lead in completing the application process. • Chris Montana gave an overview of the Shade Tree Committees financial status. o Chris reporterd that approximately$11,000 is in a Trust with another $2,500 coming in from a fine. • Fred Rella bought up an Eagle Scout project which was approved by the Borough Mayor and Council on September 6th . The Eagle Scout candidate is Daniel DeMarco. The project entitled, “Garden of Service” would have a number of upgrades to the 9/11 memorial at Veterans Park honoring military servicemen and women. One element of the plan calls for 5 trees to be planted, one tree for each branch of military service; Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. o Fred Rella proposed that the Shade Tree Committee donate the 5 trees necessary. o A motion to approve the 5 trees was made by Beth Staples, seconded by Gil TenHoeve and all agreed. The motion was passed. • Gil TenHoeve bought up the October/November annual residential tree planting program that needs to be implemented. A discussion ensued about the program and it was agreed that: o Gil would work with Karen Hughes, Borough Clerk to coordinate the programs advertising/promotional efforts. o Gil would work with Rick Woods to initiate the securing of the trees for planting. o Chris Montana noted that last year approximately $3,000 was spent on the program for an average of $150-$175 per tree. • Gil TenHoeve asked if there was any new business. Being none, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Beth Staples and seconded by Jeff Ocher. All agreed, the meeting was adjourned 8:25pm.