BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES

SHADE TREE COMMISSION

SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 MINUTES

 

Present:  J. Best, C. Murtagh, J. Eveleth (alaternate), T. Caine, M. Vyff, S. Marshall and E. Emr, Council Liaison.  Absent: H. Carr, L. Conner.

 

1.  There were no comments from the public.

 

2.  The June minutes review was tabled until the October meeting.

 

3.  P&R Status Report:  Most commissioners are almost finished with their annual tree inspections, and some data entry has been done.  Joan requested that all survey work, including data entry, be completed by Friday October 1 so that the bid specs can be done.

 

4. 34 Hillcrest Road Construction Site:  The house has been taken down by the contractor.  The contractor has placed protective fencing around a Norway Maple in the ROW.  This tree is growing extensively in the power lines and has been recommended for removal by Arborist John Linson.  The power company is willing to prune it to the point that a tree removal could bring the rest of the tree down.  We voted unanimously to allow the contractor to remove this tree and we will ask him to replace it.

 

5.  Active Grants:  The Business Stimulus Grant expires 9/30/11.  We plan to use the $7000.00 to remove invasive trees (Ailanthus and Norway Maple, primarily).  One target area is the Esplanade and Station area. Joan requested a volunteer to assume the responsibility for the administration of this grant and Consuelo volunteered.

 

The Green Communities Grant allows for the development of the 2011-2015 Community Forestry Management Plan.  With the grant money we have again engaged John Linson to help develop the plan, as he did for the current plan.  The last 2 plans were focused on tree planting.  Now that we have tree protection ordinances pertaining to the ROW and private property, we recommend that the next plan focus on interaction with residents to achieve a better understanding and compliance with the tree protection ordinances.

 

6.  100 Trees for 100 Years:  Sue and Heather will contact Tony Cerbo to begin planning this program to promote the planting of shade trees by home owners on their property in celebration of the centennial year, 2011.

 

7.  Annual Shade Tree Federation Meeting October 22&23:  At least one commissioner must go to get our annual required CEUÕs.  Marnie and Consuelo agreed to go for 1 of the 2 days.

 

8.  H&SA Bulletin New Cyber Format:  The due date for submission is now the 15th of the month before.  We discussed whether the new format would be an effective way to reach residents.  Marnie felt strongly that we should continue to put submit articles and volunteered to write one for November.

 

9. Status of Trees Planted in 2009 with State Grant:  Joan reported that DPW watered the trees just about every other week.  We will have the stakes removed next spring.  The protective wraps should now be removed to avoid the collection of moisture on the bark underneath them.  One tree on Boulevard died, and possibly a second one as well.  Heather will talk to Tony Cerbo about replacing them later this year.

 

10. Setback Tree Removal/Protection Forms:  Over the summer the form was revised because it became clear that residents did not understand it well enough and most were not completed properly.  Joan worked with Borough Manager Barry Lewis on the revisions to make the applications more user-friendly.  There are now 2 separate forms with rules and instructions, one for removals and one for tree protection plans.  The ordinance allows for the Administrator of the applications (Barry Lewis) to request assistance from the STC.  He has asked us to become involved in the process through a site visit and/or interaction with the homeowner to gather and provide him with information necessary to make a disposition on the application.  We reviewed the revised documents and made a few suggestions for further revision.  Joan will make the changes and send the documents to Borough Hall for distribution to residents as needed.

 

The next meeting will be October 14th at 8:30 am.