Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, July 13, 2021 – 7:30 pm 1. Call to Order – the meeting was called to order by the Chairman Fred Rella at 7:32pm 2. Members Present: Fred Rella, Jeff Ocher, Beth Staples, and Dan Zambrano, and Councilmember Jodi Murphy Absent: Casey Christopher, 3. Minutes - The minutes of the June 14, 2021 meeting were approved as read. 4. Items for Discussion a. Fall Tree Planting: WSTC had $7,500 in our budget which was spent on the Spring plantings. Only $400 plus $1000 from fines available. We can fundraise for the fund, but no answer from the Borough Administrator as to whom the checks should be written. Councilwoman Murphy will inquire. b. Response to Tree Requests: There was discussion of creating a response “thank you” letter to be sent to those who request town trees. Chairman Rella will get Dan the list of tree requests so that he can give them a reply via email. Councilwoman Murphy will request that a spreadsheet be shared with WSTC so that we can track tree removal requests and make comments. c. Copper Beech tree in Veterans Park: NJ has a Historic Tree Program which is currently on hold due to Covid. Chairman Rella will get a price. It was noted that we will need approval from the Veterans to put an historic marker in the park. d. Donations: Discussion on adding a donations button to the WSTC page on the borough website. Councilwoman Murphy is checking on this with the Borough Administrator. e. Designated Email Address for WSTC: Councilwoman Murphy will check on obtaining a designated email address for WSTC. f. Tree Removal Permit: It was noted that the Building Department has been issuing tree removal permits and there was discussion as to who receives the money from those permits. Discussion of requiring an annual tree removal permit for all licensed tree removal companies operating within the Borough. Councilwoman Murphy will check on what permits the Borough currently requires and which department receives the funds from these permits. Chairman Rella will check with neighboring towns to ascertain what they are doing in regard to permits and funding their shade tree committees. 5. Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm There will be no meeting in August. Next meeting will be Friday, September 3 at 6:30pm Action Items: 1. Fall Tree Planting - -to whom should the fundraising checks be writtern– Jodi 2. Tree Requests – get a spreadsheet of tree requests - Jodi 3. Veterans’ Park Copper Beech – check on cost of marker and plaque – Fred 4. Donation button and email address – Jodi 5. Tree Removal Permit Funds – who is receiving the funds – Jodi what are neighboring towns doing - Fred