Mountain Lakes Shade Tree Commission

Minutes of Meeting

December 8th, 2011

 

 

Commissioners in attendance: J. Best, H. Carr, M. Vyff, S. Marshall, J. Evelyth, Tom Caine  & George Jackson.

 

1. There were no comments from the Public.

 

2.  November minutes were reviewed and approved pending minor corrections.

 

3.  Joan Best provided update on P & R status, which is ready to go out for bids. A second walk through was conducted by John Linson around Birchwood Lake to address any changes that may have occurred from the October storm. His findings will be included in the P & R bids. A stump at the Christmas Tree Park has been included in the P&R list.

    

4. Tree Canopy Resolution – Jackie Bay of the Sustainable Jersey Committee requests STC to submit a resolution to the Borough Council about the ML Tree Canopy. The language of the resolution will address only the trees in the ROW, reflecting the STC jurisdiction. Jay Evelyth recommended the resolution to include language to encourage the keeping of a healthy canopy on the private properties of town members. A vote was taken with a majority agreement but with strong dissent from Sue Marshall.

 

5.  2011-2015 Community Forestry Management Plan --  Joan Best completed Plan on behalf of STC. Commissioners commended Ms. Best for her tireless effort on behalf of this project. Focus of this 5-year plan will be on community outreach and education, which all members strongly supported. At this juncture, the document is with Chief Tovo for signature from Mayor Gormally and then will be officially submitted to the NJ DEP.

 

6.  2012 Planning & Goals statement for Council – STC will provide a statement from the STC regarding goals and planning for 2012. Joan Best and Consuelo Murtagh and will be named co-chair. Jay Evelyth will be named first alternate. Contact information of commissioners will be provided and Sue Marshall will write up the response.

 

 

7.  100 Trees for 100 Years. Sue Marshall reports that the final numbers will be available from Cerbo by the January 2012 STC meeting. The information will also include not only the number of trees but also a planted species list from Cerbo. Certificate distribution will be managed from this list using the stock paper and language discussed at last monthÕs meeting.

 

8.  Other/New Business

 

A. Marnie Vyff, the liaison for Environmental Commission, gave an update on a recent Eagle Scout project conducted by Christian Vyff in the woods located in the village. With the improvements came better access and clearer markings for hiking paths. All were welcomed to visit the path area near the Village.

 

B. Joan reports that Bob Tovo, Acting Borough Manager, has asked for a membership list and assigned territory in order to forward requests for tree removals by homeowners to the corresponding Commissioners area. He will set up methodology for this and keep us informed when it is complete.

 

 

Meeting Time: 8:30 – 9:45am.

 

Next STC meeting scheduled for 1/12/12.