Mountain Lakes Shade Tree Commission
Minutes of Meeting
December 18, 2008
In Attendance:
Commissioners: H. Carr, J. Best, S. Marshall, T. Caine, B. Rosenthall, M. Vyff, and L. Conner
Alternate: J. Eveleth
Council Liaison: D. McWilliams
1. Minutes from the November meeting were accepted as written.
2. There were no comments from the public.
3. Corrections were made to term limit-membership page.
4. A card from Anne Barton thanking the STC for her memorial tree was shared.
5. Comments regarding Environmental Summit on Invasive Species:
- Subcommittee will be meeting after the first of the year.
-Overwhelming amount of information was presented during the summit, but in general, the panelists believe Mountain Lakes is on the right path to controlling invasive species.
- There is still some confusion about the pros and cons regarding the removal of the Norway Maple. It was suggested that time is better spent addressing removal of invasive species in the understory rather than trees in the forest.
6. Tree Planting, 2008:
- In general, the trees look good. All have been fertilized. STC may use Tony Cerbo in the future as a source for honorary or memorial trees.
- There is still a tree missing at the High School. The tree on Ball Road and the tree at Midvale Dock (Anne BartonŐs tree) still need to be relocated. This will occur in the spring.
- ## Ball Road- resident refused the tree they were to receive after gas line was ruptured. The tree was moved to a new location at Island Beach.
7. CSIP Grant of $25,000 has been applied for. This money would be used for planting and removal.
8. Prune and remove list is complete. Should go out to bid by Jan. 16th. Please return updated Area Prune and Remove lists to Joan.
9. Heather will work on Tree City USA documentation due Jan. 31st. This needs to include Arbor Day and CEU information.
10. Joan and Sue will complete Community Forestry documents by Feb.15.
11. Goals for 2009:
- Provide more education materials to the public; continue outreach in the form of Arbor Day celebration, website, Tree City USA, HS Bulletin. Possibly publish in the Neighbor News.
- Centennial Celebration: Sue suggested the possibility of selling special centennial trees; apply for 2010 CSIP grant to assist with celebration.
- Monthly articles in HS bulletin: include FAQs, articles from state STC publications, brochures and reprints of old articles. Include link to web site to encourage homeowners to find more information.
- Utilize local realtors to distribute appropriate welcome letter (printed on Borough stationery) and permit information to new residents. Doug will add letter to closing packet at the Coldwell Banker office, Marnie will approach Weichert Realtors. Updates will be made in packets distributed by ML Construction office.
- Find new sources for funding. Research new contractors and tree care specialists. Research new sources for trees.
12. The monthly meeting time was discussed. It will remain at 8:30 am.
13. High School volunteer hours are needed by this yearŐs sophomores. Some projects were suggested: remove tubes from trees at the new fields, borough clean up coordinated with Celia Flynn, enter data into computer for prune and remove lists, assist Junior Nature Club at Wildwood.
14. New Business/Other:
- Letter from Barbara Palmer regarding the blowing and dumping of leaves onto Borough land was shared.
- Bartlett Tree monthly publication was shared. Tom will add BartlettŐs link to the STC website.
- Young street trees at the corner of Briarcliff and Dartmouth have been decorated for the second year. Joe will be asked to send a letter to the homeowners regarding the adornment ordinance protecting street trees.
- Bonnie Rosenthall was nominated and elected to become the new STC chair. Laura, Marnie and Jay were reappointed. Doug McWilliams will remain the council liaison.
The next meeting will be January 8th, 2009 at 8:30am. Bring suggestions for first FAQs to be published in the Feb. HS bulletin.
Minutes accepted on January 8, 2009.
Laura Conner, acting secretary