Bernards Township Shade Tree Commission Minutes

May 14, 2008   7:15 PM

Town Hall Conference Room

 1.         Call to Order

- The meeting was called to order by Randy at 7:25 PM when quorum was reached.

2.         Roll Call

Present: Randy Santoro, Mark Harabedian, Fred Burgerhoff, Jack Gray, Charlie Cunion, Chris McManemin, Scott Spitzer, Dave Ferratti, Judy O’Connell.   Absent: Dennis Dinsmore.

3.         Minutes from April

- Reviewed and accepted as written.

4.         Bills/Purchase Orders

- National Arbor Day Foundation for Tree City USA signs.

- Parker Landscape for spring plantings.

- Chris submitted invoice for tree identification book from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

5.         Correspondence

- Email from Mrs. Falzon on Woods End.

- Note from Paws Park patron thanking the Shade Tree Commission for the new trees.

6.       Grant Report (Green Communities)

- Received go ahead for the Forestry Plan. Grant was approved, we will submit proof of payment for reimbursement after we pay Dave Welch. Judy will create purchase order for Dave.

7. Charter Day (May 17)

- our booth will be located on So. Finley near Wachovia.

- we will have “Tap the Talent” forms available in hopes that we can fill our vacant alternate positions and a demonstration of the tree guards and a drawing for Fiskar’s pruning tool.

8. Arbor Day (April 26)

- trees dedicated at Arbor Day were planted at Paws Park and are doing well (see note above from patron).

 9. Education Report

- Fred said the seedlings were well received by the students and teachers at Cedar Hill School. We will have more available at Charter Day.

- Fred will attend Core Training in October.

10.      New Tree Plantings

- New trees at Paws Park. Slight problem with one of the trees planted at the Basking Ridge Fire Company building, it will be moved.

- Chris reported that 2 of the trees recently planted on Penwood were moved by the home owners which voids the warranty.

- Commission reiterated the need to obtain agreements from homeowners BEFORE we plant trees!

- Fred will compile list for 2008 planting opportunities – Commissioners should continue their windshield surveys and send Fred information for the list. We will review compiled list at our August/September meetings, then go to bid for the Fall plantings to take place in late October/November.

11.      Tree Removals/Prunings

- Dead trees from 2006 plantings (Central Jersey) will be replaced – were supposed to begin last Friday, but Central Jersey had to cancel because of all the rain.

- 5 of the trees planted in 2007 at Paws Park need to be replaced (K&J Landscaping). Charlie will see if we can get Swamp Oaks and Jack will put tree guards around them.

- Power company is continuing to prune throughout the township.

12.     Updated Community Forestry Plan

- subcommittee will continue working with Dave Welch.

13.     Old Business

- Fred will compose a letter to the Editor of the Bernardsville News about our Tree City, USA status, Arbor Day, Charter Day, New plantings, etc.

- Randy, Chris, Jack and Mark will be the Subcommittee to revise the current Tree Ordinance. Subcommittee will be reappointed in January if necessary.

- Randy will send Judy correspondence to/from Veney Musum. (Secretary’s note, please include me in all correspondence created/received on behalf of the Shade Tree Commission!).

- Dennis will be resigning, we will seek Terri Laird’s appointment. Judy will work with Denise (Township clerk) to have Terri’s appointment approved in May. (Cannot appoint Terri as regular member until Dennis’ letter of resignation has been received, will seek to have Terri appointed as an alternate if necessary).

14.     New Business

- Residents have been complaining about the “pruning” being done by the Power company’s tree experts.

- Discussed list of trees given to builders in the township. Mark will discuss inclusion in Master Plan and will get in touch with Ken White from the Planning Board.

15.     Next Meeting:   June 11, 2008 at 7:00 for “Tree tour” with Dave Welch.

15.      Adjournment

9:40 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy O’Connell

Secretary