Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 –7:00PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:03pm. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Christine Blaney, Michael Murtaugh, Beth Staples, and Terence Beutel, Councilwoman Erin Collins Absent: Fred Rella 3. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: The minutes of December 12, 2023 were approved as amended. 4. REORGANIZATION (CONTINUATION) OF OFFICERS: Dan Zambrano was approved as chair, and Beth Staples was approved as secretary for the 2024 year. Christine Blaney was reappointed to the committee for another term. 5. FUTURE 2024 MEETING DATES: The proposed meeting dates for the WWSTC are as follows: a. February 13th b. March 12th c. April 9th d. May 14th e. June 18th f. July 9th g. August 6th h. September 10th i. October 8th j. November 12th k. December 10th 6. 2023 SPOTTED LANTERN FLY TRAPS: On December 14, 2023, Dan delivered the requested traps to all those residents who had requested traps but had failed to pick them up from Borough Hall. 7. DECEMBER 2023 TREE WORK: The list of tree removals and pruning for December 2023 was reviewed. 8. SHADE TREE PRUNING REQUEST EMAIL: On December 18, 2023, the resident at 31 Ash Street requested via email that their town tree be pruned noting that a number of branches had fallen or been damaged in recent storms. Since the tree was not listed on the December tree work spreadsheet, Dan will follow up with the DPW. 9. NEW TREE PLANTING POLICY: A proposed new tree planting policy to place trees on the yard side of the sidewalk within the Borough’s 10’ easement rather than in the curb strip for all new Borough trees on the side of the street with telephone poles and utility wires. This is an effort to combat the V- tree cutting that is done by PSE&G and which adversely effects the stability of town trees. The proposal will also allow more room for root spread and would reduce the chance of sidewalk lifting. There was discussion of how far into the yard the trees could be planted. It was agreed that these trees would be purchased by the WWSTC from our budget but that we will also seek donations and tree adoptions. Erin will take the proposal to the Mayor and Council for review. 10. NEW JERSERY TREE RECOVERY CAMPAIGN 2024 APPLICATION: Dan completed the application for 250 seedlings to be picked up in Paramus on April 11th. Seedlings must be distributed within 10 days of pickup, distribution must be documented, and the details of Arbor Fest emailed to the New Jersey Forester Alex. 11. COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2024: The guidelines have been updated for 2024 and now want tree inventory data as a basis for our plan development. Additionally, a certified tree expert must assist in the drafting of the plan. It was agreed to ask the Borough arborist for a quote. There was discussion of the possible availability of software to assist with an inventory. The WSTC reviewed the Boswell Engineering map of fire hydrant locations within the Borough to see if it could be adapted as a basis for a tree inventory. Core Training is being offered online this Spring meaning that  more WSTC members could become certified. Dan has registered for Rutgers 2024 Green Infrastructure Champions certification (rain gardens + stormwater control). 12. ARBOR FEST 2024 PLANNING: (see attached Arbor Fest 2024 planning document) There was also discussion of designating the large Copper Beach tree in Veteran’s Park as a “Witness Tree” highlighting the important dates in history (Westwood, NJ, US, and World) that the tree has “seen” during its life. This was determined to be a good Eagle Scout project opportunity. a. Saturday April 6th 9:30AM: Gritman Pond (Accessibility & Health) – There was discussion of inviting the Borough Recreation Director to participate and highlight the accessibility of the new pathway. b. Saturday April 13th 9:30AM: Girl Scout Park 3rd/4th Ave. (Stormwater Management) There was discussion of contacting the NJDEP Watershed Ambassador to do a presentation on Stormwater management at this planting; beginning an “Adopt a Storm Drain” initiative; and holding a Rain Barrel Workshop. c. Saturday April 20th 9:30AM: DPW Recycling Center (Environment) d. Wednesday April 24th Evening: Veteran’s Park (Efficiency & Historic Trees) e. Saturday April 27th 9:30AM: Westwood Public Library (Education) 13. ADOPT A TREE PROGRAM: Dan approached the Borough Clerk about the creation of an Adopt-a- Tree program similar to the Borough’s Memorial Bench program. The estimated cost for a tree initially would be $175 for the tree, protective piping, and a small sign. The Clerk noted that Columbia Bank donated a tree for Gritman Pond in 2022 and another tree for McKinley Park in 2023. The bank also paid for the planting of the trees and provided a small plaque noting their donation for each tree. 14. TREE REMOVAL LICENSES: A sample ordinance from Washington Township was reviewed. It was suggested that ordinances from Hackensack and Ramsey also be reviewed. The WSTC proposal would require all tree removal companies doing business within the Borough to be licensed and certified to file such license information and insurance certification with the Borough annually. Erin met with the Borough Clerk on the question of how such a program would be monitored. It was suggested that a script be developed on what specifically WSTC would like the enforcing officer to do and how to do it. This would be mainly for those times when the Borough Construction Code official is not making rounds within the Borough. There was discussion on how this proposal would be mainly complaint driven; that WSTC should be copied on all tree removal permits and permit applications; that there should be appropriate penalties; and that a Westwood Police Department representative could possibly attend a WSTC to discuss enforcement. Erin noted that the Mayor and Council are currently discussing in depth trees, sidewalks, and flooding. It was suggested that the Mayor and Council explore whether Stormwater Management monies could be used to purchase more trees to absorb water runoff. 15. SPRING PLANTINGS: Dan secured ten 15-Gallon Shade Trees from American Nursery to be planted in Spring 2024. 16. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 ARBOR FEST PLANNING DOCUMENT APPENDED BELOW Saturday Morning April 20th (tree recovery seedling distribution 2): Location: DPW Recycling Center Theme: Environment Highlight the importance of yard waste and recycling management; do this in tandem with Environmental Advisory Committee’s Earth Day clean up at Westvale Park. Committee Members: Dan, Beth, Fred, Christine, Terry, Erin, Michael Invite/Partner Organizations: EAC, Green Team, DPW Tree(s) Planting Location: Tree Species: Wednesday Evening (7PM? – sunset is 7:46PM) April 24th: Veteran’s Park / Train Station Theme: Efficiency and Historic Trees Highlight the Copper Beech Tree and the importance of preserving existing assets. Committee Members: Dan, Beth, Fred, Christine, Terry, Erin, Michael Invite/Partner Organizations: Historic Preservation Committee, Borough Historian Tree(s) Planting Location: Tree Species: Saturday Morning April 27th: Location: Westwood Public Library Theme: Education Highlight the Garden Club’s planting and educational speaker series and our mission to educate the public about our Borough’s tree canopy. Committee Members: Dan, Beth, Fred, Christine, Terry, Erin, Michael Invite/Partner Organizations: WW Library Garden Club, Green Team, organizations from Girl Scout Park planting Tree(s) Planting Location: Tree Species: