Bernards Township Shade Tree Commission Minutes

June 11, 2008   8:00 PM

Town Hall Conference Room

 1.         Call to Order

- The meeting was called to order by Randy at 8:00 PM, following the “tree tour”.

2.         Roll Call

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

3.         Minutes from May

- Reviewed and accepted as written.

4.         Bills/Purchase Orders

- Jack submitted an invoice for Charter Day supplies.

5.         Correspondence

- (see tree report).

6.       Grant Report (Green Communities)

- waiting for completed Forestry Plan to be accepted by the Township Committee (on agenda for 7/15 meeting); will then submit invoice from Dave Welch for reimbursement.

7. Charter Day (May 17)

- went very well, Jack did a fantastic job with his mulch demonstration.

- prize winner was Sally Theringer from Liberty Corner.

- literature was distributed, Chris will keep remaining copies for next year.

- list of potential plantings from residents – Randy will distribute to the Commission to discuss.

8. Arbor Day (April 26)

- No update, no publicity in the Bernardsville News as of today.

 9. Education Report

- May be able to get CEU credits for today’s Tree identification class with Dave Welch (5 people / 1 hour).

10.      New Tree Plantings

- problem with a few trees, Tony at Parker Landscaping will replace.

- will move tree at the driveway of the Basking Ridge Fire Company, but moving it will void the warrantee.

- reminder that the new trees need water!

11.      Tree Removals/Prunings

- the White pine near the Millington Baptist Church (thought to be dead) has new growth this year. Tree seems to be very stressed, Jack has volunteered to fertilize it.

- Rankin Ave – Baiter house – tree is healthy, grass will not grow under it, not a reason to remove it.

- Randy will visit the Bunsen house on Linden Dr.

12.     Updated Community Forestry Plan

- Nearly complete – hope to have it on the 7/15 Township Committee agenda.

13.     Old Business

- K&J Landscapers’ trees at Paws Park need to be replaced, they have not been responding to Charlie’s calls, Chris will follow up and request species better suited to the area.

- 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!).

- Mark is working on a list of trees to be given to Township builders – Jack will review and we will post on our web page.

- Dennis has resigned, Terri is an “official” Commissioner – welcome!

14.     New Business

- Jack will speak with Jim Milito (Park and Rec commission) about the Mountain Park trees.

- new Tree City USA signs have been hung.

- Judy will get an updated Township street list (update: Judy distributed to all Commissioners on June 17)

- Judy will try to get tax map books for the new Commissioners.

15.     Next Meeting:   July 16, 2008 at 7:15.

15.      Adjournment

10:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Judy O’Connell

Secretary