Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, December 2, 2021 –6:30 pm 1. Call to Order – the meeting was called to order by the Chairman Fred Rella at 6:35pm 2. Members Present: Fred Rella, Casey Christopher, Jeff Ocher, Beth Staples, and Dan Zambrano, and Councilmember Jodi Murphy 3. Minutes - The minutes of the September 14, 2021 meeting were approved as read. 4. Items for Discussion a. The new Chairperson starting in 2022 will be Dan Zambrano. Beth Staples will continue as Secretary. b. Budget 2022 – No information yet from the Mayor and Council as to Shade Tree’s budget allocation for 2022. c. Letter to Tree Requesters – It was discussed if the auto response could be changed to a “thank you” message. Thirteen (13) people have already submitted requests. They will receive an email from WSTC acknowledging their request and thanking them. Councilwoman Murphy will request that the notification of these requests go WSTC. d. Tree City USA – Chairman Rella reported that the application has been submitted and a decision should be forthcoming in March. e. Tree permits and tree removal funds – According to the Borough Administrator, these revenues have always gone to the Borough Building Department and that practice will, most likely, not change. Question was raised as to whether or not a percentage of those funds could be reallocated to WSTC. f. Tree Removal Company permits – No answer on the question of creating an annual registration with an associated fee for any company doing tree removals within the Borough. Councilwoman Murphy will present the proposal to the Mayor and Council. g. Sidewalks – There was discussion of sidewalk roots on a property on Lowell. The Building Inspector, Armand, was told that Rick Woods (DPW) was doing the roots, that the roots are to be cut, and that the tree will probably be cut down. Councilwoman Murphy brought the matter to the attention of the Borough Administrator and the town arborist will review it. 5. Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm Next meeting will be Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 6:30pm Action Items: 1. Budget 2022 – request additional funds from the Council - Jodi 2. Response to Tree Requests – draft letter (Dan), have notification of requests go to WSTC (Jodi) 3. Tree Removal funds – inquiry if a percentage could go to WSTC (Jodi) 4. Master Plan presentation – Beth