Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 –7:00PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the chair, Dan Zambrano, at 7:02pm. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Fred Rella, Christine Blaney, Michael Murtaugh, Beth Staples, Councilwoman Erin Collins 3. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: The minutes of April 19, 2023 were approved. a. ARBOR FEST RECAP: Dan played a video from our Arbor Day celebrations that he produced for Reels. The WSTC agreed that we had a very good turnout with varied attendance and disparate community groups participating. Special thanks were given to the Girl Scouts for the flowers that they planted in Nugent Park. The publicity from the weeklong event, specifically on social media, has generated more tree planting requests. There was discussion of topics for future Public Service Announcement (PSA) Reels videos. 4. TREE REQUESTS / SPRING PLANTINGS: To date, six (6) Red Sunset Maple trees were planted during our Arbor Day celebrations (cost of $1050) and twenty (20) trees (at a cost of $3300) were planted on May 2nd and May 3rd by the DPW Crew: Ryan, Anzel, and Michael. Of the DPW planted trees, ten (10) were dogwoods and ten (10) were Eastern Redbuds. All trees were purchased from American Nursery at a cost of $165 each. Eight (8) more (at a cost of $1320) have been ordered by Rick Woods, DPW Superintendent to accommodate the additional tree requests from our Arbor Day social media publicity. He will try to get them all planted before the temperature changes and hopes to have them all planted by May 12th. We have $1830 remaining in our budget for this year. It was suggested to check if any funds are remaining in the Borough’s Tree Trust Fund. All trees received corrugated plastic pipe. Dan reported that he accompanied the DPW on many of the tree plantings. A town tree at 103 Mill Street died from deer damage and was removed by the DPW. A tree planted in 2022 at 137 Lafayette Avenue died from deer damage (see photos). DPW replaced the tree. The homeowner at 27 6th Avenue reported that a Borough tree planted in 2022 had deer damage. The homeowner wrapped the tree trunk. Dan and the DPW inspected the tree on May, determined that it appeared very healthy, and wrapped the trunk in plastic pipe. A tree request at 66 Garden Place was also received. Review determined that there are a number of existing trees at that location leaving no room for additional town trees. The request for a tree at 57 Garden Place was denied as the two residents at that address were not in agreement on having one planted. There was discussion of planting two (2) trees in the Girl Scout Park to replace the memorial rhododendrons that died from deer damage. Christine asked for notification of when the plantings would occur so that she could notify the Girl Scouts to see if any can participate in the plantings. A request for tree planting/landscaping was received from a resident on Alvin Street behind HUMC at Pascack Valley. The Borough had planted arborvitae in the area between the end of the street and the hospital’s roadway/parking area. The trees did not survive. The resident requested a sight and sound barrier. Erin will contact HUMC at PV to determine if they would like to participate and perhaps donate the trees. 5. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT: Noah Perez from BSA Troop 350 appeared before the WSTC to discuss his potential Eagle Scout project. He hopes to fundraise money, which he would donate to the Borough for the purpose of purchasing more trees for planting. There was discussion of possible locations for planting. It was suggested to Noah that he consider soliciting sponsors as a means to increase his potential revenue from the project. It was also suggested that he consider inquiring of residents on streets with sparse tree coverage (as in the area of Repetti Street which was hard hit in recent storms) if they would be interested in having a tree planted. Noah was asked to inform the WSTC and the DPW of any dead Borough trees that he may discover during his review of Borough streets. He was also advised to include the cost plastic corrugated pipe in his budget. It was agreed to ask if Noah could accompany Dan and/or the DPW to the nursery to purchase the next round of trees.  6. TREE REMOVALS: There was discussion of the tree removal request from 45 Meadow Road where there are two (2) Borough trees within the Gritman Pond Park that impinge upon the resident’s chain link fence. Erin and Michael inspected the trees and Dan provided photos. One (1) tree appears to be partially leaning toward the resident’s house. It was agreed to ask the DPW to ask the town arborist to review the tree and determine if it is a hazard and, as a result, should be removed. It was further agreed not to remove the other healthy tree simply because it has grown into the resident’s fence area. There was discussion of the need for a standardized flow chart on matters of hazard mitigation so that the WSTC can remain consistent in its review process. A tree removal request was received from the resident at 422 Fairview Avenue. He claimed that the roots were pushing up his sidewalk. WSTC members will review the property and report by the next meeting. A request for tree planting/landscaping was received from a resident on Alvin Street behind HUMC at Pascack Valley. The Borough had planted arborvitae in the area between the end of the street and the hospital’s roadway/parking area. The trees did not survive. The resident requested a sight and sound barrier. Erin will contact HUMC at PV to determine if they would like to participate and perhaps donate the trees. 7. NEW MEMBER RECOMMENDATION: The WSTC voted to send Terence Beutel’s volunteer application to the Mayor and Council with our recommendation for acceptance. 8. VOLUNTEER / COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY: WESTWOOD LIBRARY GARDENING CLUB PLANT SALE – MAY 13; 10AM – 2PM: Any available WSTC members who could were asked to attend and assist the Gardening Club in their sales. 9. OTHER COMMITTEE ITEMS: Westwood Pride Day will be held on Sunday, June 11th from 10am- 5pm in Veterans Park. WSTC members were asked to volunteer what time they can. 10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:14pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 20th at 7PM