Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2023 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:02pm. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Terence Beutel, Christine Blaney Michael Murtaugh, Fred Rella, Beth Staples, Councilwoman Erin Collins. 3. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: The minutes of June 20, 2023 were approved. 4. SPOTTED LANTERN FLY TRAP INSTALLATIONS: The Borough Administrator has offered WSTC 30 traps to install on Borough property. It was decided that members of the WSTC would meet at the Community Center on July 26th at 7:30pm to install the traps on Borough trees in the area specifically trees along Old Hook Road by the railroad tracks. A resident had notified WSTC of 10 or more Trees of Heaven on Old Hook Road across from Valley Apartments, along the wooded train track area. There was discussion of spraying trees with a dish soap mixture. Dan will ask the DPW about such spraying and will create a Facebook post for residents. 5. FINALIZED SPRING TREE PLANTINGS LIST: LOCATION DATE PLANTED 35 8TH Ave 5/2/23 137 Lafayette 5/2/23 54 Sealy St 5/2/23 119 Langner Pl 5/2/23 2 Trees 48 Clairmont Ave 5/2/23 151 Mill St 5/2/23 217 Washington Ave 5/2/23 42 Prospect Ave 5/2/23 74 Bergen St 5/2/23 175 Lexington Ave 5/2/23 22 Lotus St 5/2/23 171 Westwood Blvd 5/2/23 18 Kaufman Dr 5/2/23 25 Summit Ave 5/2/23 21 Garden Pl 5/2/23 54 Sealy St 5/3/23 22Lotus 5/3/23 88 Dogwood 5/3/23 2 Trees 1 planted 5/15/23 237 Davidhooper Pl 5/3/23 65 Clinton Ave 5/15/23 28 1st Ave 5/15/23 88 Bergen St 5/15/23 93 Wheeler 5/15/23 3 Trees Girls Scout Park 5/15/23 6. TREE INSPECTION REQUEST FORM: Dan followed up with Borough Deputy Clerk and DPW Superintendent about creating a Tree Inspection Request Form instead of just a Tree Removal Request Form. The DPW had expressed concerns over privacy matters and about listing sidewalk repair options on the original draft form. The new form is modeled after our current shade tree request form and location of the tree to be inspected and the reason for the tree inspection. Dan is waiting to hear from the Deputy Clerk and the DPW with final approval on the revised form. 7. TREE WORK SPREADSHEET FOR JUNE: Arborist evaluations were requested for 107 Kaufman Drive where Rick noted that the tree appeared healthy and 32 High Street where the resident would like the tree trimmed. 8. SHADE TREE EMAIL: The resident at 75 Clairmont Avenue emailed on July 7, 2023 requesting that the Borough tree in the sidewalk curb strip be trimmed as it is near the power lines. The request was forwarded to the DPW on July 9, 2023. The resident also requested information about planting a replacement tree in their front yard. They removed a tree as part of a driveway variance and asked how far back from the road does the replacement tree need to be planted. Chairman Zambrano responded that it should be within their property line, unless they get approval from the DPW Superintendent to plant in Right of Way (ROW). He also advised that planting trees in the Fall or Spring gives them the best chance of survival and suggested planting where sprinkler heads can reach and leaving room for the roots to spread out. He also gave a link to the WSTC operations plan with suggested tree species list. 9. REMINDER: ONE BOOK WESTWOOD (LIBRARY): All WSTC members are asked to read the book “Wishtree” which is available from our Library in written and audio form and then attend their event on Monday August 7th at 7pm. 10. ABBOTT 169 CARVER AVENUE VACANT LAND: An application is pending before Zoning Board (ZB) application to develop 169 Carver Avenue. The proposed development calls for clear- cutting all of the trees on the property. The site plan of the Boswell Engineering report indicates that there are 35 trees on the property. The application was not heard at the ZB’s July meeting, but was moved at the applicant’s request to the ZB’s August 7th. meeting and public comments will not be heard until the applicant has completed their full presentation. Residents Rudy Jaeger and Christina Kaufman appeared tonight before WSTC seeking guidance as to the Borough’s ordinances pertaining to clear- cutting of mature trees. Chairman Zambrano reported that the WSTC has one month in which to present a review report to the ZB. All materials pertaining to the application must be publically available in the Westwood Building Department. ZB inquired as to the WSTC’s interest in the application – whether it was for the fines that would be generated from the proposed removal of the trees or was it from a concern as to the conservation of a particular tree species. After discussion, it was decided to generate a report to the ZB from the WSTC which would be voted upon at a special August 1 meeting. Beth Staples will draft an initial report for WSTC review. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:04pm. NEXT MEETING: August 1, 2023 at 7:00pm