Bernards Township Shade Tree Commission (STC)

Monthly Meeting – 4/16/08

 

Called to Order – 7:25 pm

 

Roll Call:

-          Present:  Randy Santoro, Mark Harabedian, Fred Burgerhoff, Jack Gray, Dave Ferratti

-          Absent: Charlie Cunion, Dennis Dinsmore, Chris McManemin, Scott Spitzer

 

Public Comments:

-    Terry Laird is interested in becoming an alternate member of the      Commission.  She has already submitted a Tap the Talent form to the Township Clerk’s office.

 

Minutes from March:

-          Approved.

 

Bills:

-          None.

 

Correspondence:

-          Grant Information – received our executed 2007 Green Communities Grant Agreement from the State Forestry/Grants coordinator giving us the official authorization to proceed with development of our Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP).  Once our CFMP has been reviewed and accepted by the State, we can submit our expenses for reimbursement.

-          Received our membership cards from the NJ Shade Tree Federation.

-          Received new Tree City USA banner and “17 Year” plaque update.

-          Received quotes for spring plantings.

-          Randy will respond to Gelsey Lane resident.

-          Chris has spoken with resident on Pheasant Run Drive.

 

New Tree Planting Report:

-          Discussed spring plantings.

-          Discussed using planting boxes in BR Center for shallow rooted trees in areas where planting would be difficult.  Jack will investigate. 

-          Letters will be sent to residents who received new trees to remind them to please water them and call if there is a problem.

 

Tree Removal and Pruning Report:

-          Let Dave know if any trees in your area need attention. 

-          DPW is currently working on stump removals.

 

 

Grant Report:

-          (See Correspondence for Green Communities Grant).

-          Subcommittee will meet again 4/23, plan to have revised plan reviewed by Steve Chisholm by the end of the month.

 

Arbor Day Report:

-          Celebration at Paws Park is currently set for April 26 at 10:00 am, but may have to postpone due to the planting schedule.

 

Charter Day – May 17:

-          Volunteers needed to help in our station.

-          We’ll have the State seedlings to distribute.

-          Jack is planning a demo of either Maple Syrup making or “Mulch Mania” – how not to mulch!

-          We’ll have “Tree Needs” forms available (Fred is creating)

-          We’ll also have a drawing for a fabulous prize.

 

Education:

-          Fred will distribute some of our Charter Day seedlings to Cedar Hill School.

-          Randy is investigating the Tree Identification Class’s CEU credits.

-          Dave Welch will be giving a talk about the Basking Ridge Oak at the Presbyterian Church House on May 18 at 11:15 am.

-          The church is also willing to let us collect some of the acorns from the Basking Ridge Oak tree to send to the State for incubation and perhaps selling at future events.

 

Old Business:

-          Fred is working on a letter to the editor of the Bernardsville News in order to get the Shade Tree Commission some publicity.

-          No update from Central Jersey about last year’s plantings which need replacement.

 

New Business:

-          Discussed developing a new tree ordinance which would cover all properties in town (currently only properties of 3 acres or more are covered).

-          Town Hall pruning is complete.  The Copper Beech tree behind the building will be cabled to prevent falling branches.

-          Dead Elm tree on Walnut Circle will be removed.

-          Dead tree in the island near the Lyons Mall has been removed.

 

Meeting Adjourned:

-          9:30 PM

 

Reminder – next meeting is Wednesday, May 14 at 7:15 in the Conference room.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Judy O’Connell

Commission Secretary