Shade Tree Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD SHADE TREE COMMITTEE APPROVED MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 –7:00PM Borough Hall – 2nd Floor Conference Room #1 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Zambrano at 7:10PM. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Zambrano, Fred Rella, Christine Blaney, Terence Beutel, Michael Murtaugh and Councilwoman Erin Collins. MEMBERS ABSENT: Beth Staples 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Meeting Minutes of May 28, 2024 were approved. 4. JUNETEENTH TREE PLANTING EVENT: Chairman Zambrano went over the details of the Juneteenth celebration collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Lebanon Baptist Church. • WHEN: 10AM WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024 • WHERE: 20 HIGH ST. (LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH) • WHAT: LEARN HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH & PLANT 2X LINDEN TREES ON HIGH STREET 5. MAY 2024 TREE WORK: • Total Trees Removed in 2024 as of 5/31/24: 27 • Total Trees Trimmer in 2024 as of 5/31/24: 93 • Total Trees Planted in 2024 as of 5/31/24: 51 • NEW TREE REQUESTS SINCE 5/28/24: 1 • NOTE: There are 5 open tree requests from 2023; 10 tree requests in 2024. Thus, there are a total of 15 open tree requests. 6. SHADE TREE EMAILS: All tree inquiries; complaints, pruning requests, removal request and other tree issues have been sent to DPW Superintendent Rick Woods for comment/remediation. • TAPESTRIE – 163 WESTWOOD AVE. – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 5/30/24 to prune back tree that is encroaching on store awning. • 165 KINDERKAMACK RD. – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 5/30/24 to prune branches hanging over sidewalk and blocking driveway view. • 176 PALISADE AVE. – TREE COMPLAINT i. Rick responded to the homeowner on 6/6/24 after having Arborist evaluate the tree. Tree is in good condition with good foliage in the crown. Some deadwood and pruning is recommended along with some elevation and the work will be scheduled.  • 438 FAIRVIEW AVE. – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 6/11/24 to prune branches that are hanging low over sidewalk. Work was completed the following morning and homeowner expressed appreciation for the quick response. • 108 JAMES ST. – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 6/13/24 to remove one trunk of a twin trunk tree that has died. • 67 CLAIRMONT AVE. – TREE EVALUATION REQUEST – SIDEWALK ISSUES i. Homeowner spoke to Dan at Kiwanis SPARK Event and was told to email shade tree. Request submitted on 6/17/24 regarding an oak tree that is lifting the sidewalk and leaking sap. In person the homeowner stated two different DPW employees looked at the tree. Recommend Arborist to evaluate to see how to mitigate the sidewalk issues. • 41 MEADOW ROAD – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 6/18/24 to prune due to several low hanging branches and deadwood that could post risk to pedestrians. • 40 HOYER AVE. – TREE PRUNING REQUEST i. Request submitted 6/18/24 to prune town tree. • 71 MILL STREET – TREE EVALUATION REQUEST i. Request submitted 6/18/24 to evaluate town tree that appears to be dead and partially blocking the sidewalk. Would like new tree. 7. COPPER BEECH TREE WORK: Per Chairman Zambrano, Rick Woods confirmed Bartlett is treating the Copper Beech tree again. They come 4 times a year to treat the tree. By their recommendation, they did light pruning, removing all the dead, broken, declining, and diseased branches out of the tree. They also did some cabling of large limbs. 8. KIWANIS SPARK A S.T.E.A.M. FAIR FOR KIDS RECAP: The S.T.E.A.M. event was a huge success for the Shade Tree Committee. Many thanks to Christine Blaney who took the lead in organizing the Shade Tree Committee involvement. Also, a special shout out to Dan Zambrano and Councilwoman Erin Collins who were staffing the booth along with Christine. 9. OTHER COMMITTEE ITEMS: • 2024 GROWTH AWARD APPLICATION FOR TREE CITY USA OPENS SEPTEMBER • Inquired with Liz Stewart about tree inventory presentation and followed up about payment on her invoice. Chairman Zambrano will inquire about doing a phased inventory approach with Ms. Stewart (cost, timing, how/where to phase). It was recommended that we begin the inventory in the flood prone areas. Lastly, a preliminary estimated budget of $15,000 was discussed for the 2024 Inventory work to be performed. • Received American Nursery’s invoice for $330 for the 2x Linden Trees 10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM NEXT SHADE TREE MEETING: JULY 9, 2024 – 7:00PM