Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023 –7:00PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:07pm. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Christine Blaney, Fred Rella, Beth Staples, and Terence Beutel, Councilwoman Erin Collins Absent: Michael Murtaugh 3. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: The minutes of November 14, 2023 were approved. 4. 2023 TREE CITY USA APPLICATION: Fred Rella reported that he submitted the application for a 2023 Tree City USA designation on December 5th and expects to hear whether or not the Borough was approved by April 2024. 5. BUDGET: The chairman reported on the WSTC budget numbers that will be used in our Community Forestry Management Plan: Community Population, 11,084 people; Tree Planting & Initial Care, $7500; Tree Maintenance, $9000; Tree Removal, $10000; Management, $1000; and Volunteer Time Hours, 460 hours 6. FINAL 2023 TREE REQUESTS: A spreadsheet listing all the tree requests was emailed to WSTC members prior to the meeting and was reviewed at the meeting. As of 12/12/23, there are 19 tree requests, that are pending inspection and approval by DPW for planting in the spring. The chairman will email the residents who requested trees in 2023 but have not yet had them planted to let them know they are on the list for inspection and planting in 2024. 7. SPOTTED LANTERN FLY TRAPS (UPDATE): A spreadsheet showing how many traps were requested and by whom was reviewed. The 19 traps that were requested by 7 residents were delivered to the Tax/Finance Office in Borough Hall. To date, only 2 or those residents have picked up their traps even though a reminder email was sent. If they aren’t picked up within a week, the chairman will try to make arrangements to have them delivered. 8. NOVEMBER TREE WORK: The DPW informed the WSTC that approximately 75 Borough trees were removed from January 2023 through November 2023 and 35 new trees were planted. It was noted that we are still working within a tree deficit. 9. 2023 TREE INSPECTION REPORTS: There was discussion about which department pays for the arborist. This matter will be clarified, and any necessary adjustments made. To date, Elizabeth Stewart, the Borough’s contracted licensed tree expert, has inspected 14 trees. The chairman has requested copies of all tree evaluations. 10. PRE-ORDERED TREES: There is approximately $1900 remaining in the WSTC budget. These monies will be used to pre-order trees for planting in the spring. The chairman will work with the Borough Administrator and pre-order the trees with a 2023 Purchase Order for pickup and planting in 2024. 11. SHADE TREE EMAILS: WSTC received an email asking that a Borough tree at 42 Euclid Avenue be removed. WSTC member and DPW liaison, Michael Murtaugh, reviewed the tree and recommended pruning. The Borough Arborist reviewed the tree and reported that overall the tree is in fair to poor condition with poor form, but that there is no immediate hazard noted. However, she predicted that the tree would have a limited life expectancy and suggested that, at the minimum, the tree should be pruned for visible deadwood over 3” diameter. She also noted that the tree is a maple which are known to have softer wood and, as a result, this tree will most likely drop branches from where there are currently cankers. Given the tree’s proximity to the power lines, the DPW Superintendent was going to contact PSEG with the report. The homeowner has been notified of this update that the tree was inspected by an arborist and that the matter would be forwarded to PSEG’s contact. 12. SHADE TREE OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS: It was agreed that Dan Zambrano would continue as chair in 2024 and Beth Staples would continue as secretary. The WSTC also recommended that Christine Blaney be reappointed as her current term is ending. 13. TUESDAY MEETING DATES FOR 2024: The following are the WSTC meeting dates for 2024 pending approval of the Mayor and Council. All meetings will begin at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted: a. January 23rd  b. February 13th c. March 12th d. April 9th e. May 14th f. June 11th g. July 9th h. August 13th i. September 10th j. October 8th k. November 12th l. December 10th 14. COUNCIL LIAISON: Councilwoman Erin Collins has requested to be reappointed as the liaison to the WSTC. The final appointments will be made at the Mayor and Council’s reorganization meeting in January. 15. ARBOR DAY 2024: Various ideas for our 2024 Arbor Day celebration were discussed including planting different types of trees for different situations; having a multi-tree planting on one day or multiple days; having an Arbor Week or Month; including an education component; and inaugurating a tree sponsorship program on Arbor Day. Plans will be finalized in the coming months. 16. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:38pm Next Meeting: The next meeting of the WSTC will be on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7pm.