MOUNTAIN LAKES SHADE TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

June 14, 2012

Commissioners: C. Murtagh, S. Marshall, J. Best, T. Caine, M. Vyff, J. Horst, H. Carr

Council Liaison: B. Bravo

Borough Manager: R. Tovo

1. There were no comments from the public.

2. May minutes were approved with 2 minor clarifications.

3. The Discussion Item for Council regarding lack of enforcement of the tree protection and removal regulations was discussed. There are limited options for enforcement under the current Code Enforcement Official hours. The Borough could renegotiate more hours with the Code Enforcement Official, or the responsibility could be assigned to someone else. Concern was expressed that enforcement should be assigned to only one person for two reasons: changes made on the property need to be monitored on a weekly basis, and interface with residents and contractors needs to be done by one person for consistency. Bob will explore assignment enforcement to a permanent day shift officer. The Shade Tree Commission needs to make a presentation to the Board of Adjustment and Planning Boards to discuss the importance of tree protection and role of the Boards as specified in the regulations. Generally the property owner goes before the Board, and so is the best way if not the only way to educate the owner.

4. The prune and removal work was completed. The contractor indicated it was difficult to find some trees as the species were often incorrect. Consuelo and Janet closed out the service requests and made the needed adjustments to the inventory data.

5. Joan distributed the new P&R packets. She will email the sheets needed for the non inventory trees recorded in excel. Everyone was reminded to find a buddy to walk with, and to record your findings in the program as you walk; do not wait as you tend to forget what your notes mean.

6. A few changes were suggested for the article for the ML Magazine. It was also suggested we use the tree drawing used in the certificates as well as in the last article in all future publications. Heather will send the image to Marnie who will rework it for use in portrait and landscape orientations. This article should go into the September magazine, after the summer season is over. Janet volunteered to write an article dealing with tree identification.

7. The Commission reviewed the tree protection application form revised to include the number of trees less than 8 inches in diameter. Joan will email it to Tom for the website.

8. Shade Tree membership was discussed. It was suggested John Linson could audit an area a year to make sure the species are listed correctly. It was noted that the trees listed in the inventory are fairly accurate; it is the woodland trees that are often misidentified.

9. Marnie reviewed the events of EC meeting last night.

Next meeting will be held on September 13, 2012

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Best