Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE MEETING APPROVED MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024 –7:00PM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:09pm. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Christine Blaney, Fred Rella, Beth Staples, and Terence Beutel, Michael Murtaugh, Councilwoman Erin Collins 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The minutes of the February 27, 2024 regular meeting and the March 1, 2024 public special meeting were approved. 4. TREE WORK SPREADSHEET – The spreadsheet from the DPW of tree work done during February 2024 was reviewed. 5. SHADE TREE EMAILS – The homeowner at 52 Lockerby Lane requested that their town tree be removed as it was infested with ants. Pruning requests were received from the homeowners at 127 Pascack Road and 11 Newark Avenue. Michael Murtaugh of the DPW evaluated the tree at 78 Boulevard and noted that the tree was healthy with some sidewalk lifting. 6. COLUMBIA BANK ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING DONATION – It was confirmed to have a public tree planting event at Hagemann park something from 4/16 to 4/26. Exact date to be given when Columbia receives it from their tree service. 7. ARBOR FEST 2024 PLANNING – The following dates, times, and themes were discussed. Additionally, 28 tree requests have been received from residents. The chairman noted that he needs to pick out the trees at American Nursery and select the locations with Rick Woods, DPW Superintendent. Mesh guard also needs to be ordered. Christine Blaney will obtain promotional materials and is working on getting AmeriCorps volunteers to illustrate the benefit of trees and rain gardens for our event at the Westwood Public Library. • Saturday April 6th 9:30AM: Gritman Pond (Accessibility & Health) • Saturday April 13th 9:30AM: Girl Scout Park 3rd/4th Ave. (Stormwater Management) • Saturday April 20th 8:30AM: DPW Recycling Center (Environment) • Wednesday April 24th 7:00PM: Veteran’s Park (Efficiency & Historic Trees) • Saturday April 27th 10:00AM: Westwood Public Library (Education) 8. LIZ STEWART ARBORSIT Q&A – Contracted Borough Arborist Liz Stewart presented a “Tree Talk” for the committee highlighting the following items: • A tree ordinance that pertains to trees on private property • Having a licensed tree professional review private tree removal requests • Amended our Borough tree ordinance from “number of trees” to “tree equivalents” • River Edge’s “Trees Please” program with educational materials, seedlings to give away, lawn signs with QR code with website link, and their “Leave the Leaves” campaign  • River Edge’s program requiring any contractor doing work in the proximity of a Borough tree to put monies in escrow to replace said tree if it dies within three years of the work • Sidewalk Pilot Program in which the Borough sets aside a certain amount of funds to be used on a first come first served basis to repair/replace on those sidewalk slabs damaged by tree roots. Paramus’ sidewalk program was given as an example. • Possible sidewalk alternatives • Paramus program to plant from 12’ to 15’ from the curb. • Using a private landscaper to plant Borough trees. Could allow for the planting of upt to 25 trees a day with an extra day for site work and mark outs. Trees to be planted 10’ from a driveway, 5’ to 10’ from utilities, and not in line with the house front door. • Education outreach materials such as door tags available through the Shade Tree Federation. • NJ Spotted Lantern Fly flyer with information sending callers to a specific links • NJUCF plan needs to show that we are planning to do a tree inventory. Liz can assist with revising our old plan. • Beech Leaf Disease for which there is a possible treatment. Liz with evaluate the large Copper Beech tree in Veteran’s Park. 9. TIER A MS4 TREE REMOVAL / REPLACEMENT MODEL ORDINANCE – Beth Staples has been participating in the online workshops which will yield 1.5 CEUs upon her completion of the three programs. She will share the model ordinances once she receives them after the second workshop on 3/19. 10. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 8:39pm.