Bernards Township Shade Tree Commission Minutes

September 10, 2008   7:15 PM

Town Hall Conference Room

 

 1.         Call to Order

-         The meeting was called to order by Randy at 7:20 PM. 

 

2.         Roll Call

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

 

3.         Minutes from August

- Reviewed and accepted as amended.

           

4.         Bills/Purchase Orders

- None.

 

5.         Correspondence  

- Annual meeting brochures.

- Invitation to participate in the “Go Green” event on Sept 27 at Pleasant Valley Park.

 

6.       Grant Report (Green Communities)

- Need CEU credits – see Education section.

 

7.          Charter Day (May 17)

- No update.

 

8.       Arbor Day (April 26)

- No update.

         

 9.       Education Report

-         October 24-26 Core Training.  Fred will attend for 2 days (Core training and seminars), Terri and Randy will be attending for 1 day.

-         Members will also attend classes at Rutgers this winter, we will have enough CEU credits to qualify for the grant requirements.

 

10.      New Tree Plantings

- Lists for fall plantings were due tonight from the Commissioners.

- Jack discussed his meeting with Dan Snyder (Deer Management Advisor) about plans to reforest areas which have less deer than in past years.  The area near the Municipal Bus Lot on Stonehouse Road is a good candidate for new trees, probably fruit trees to allow the birds and squirrels to bring the seeds back farther into the wooded area.

- We are anticipating about 40-50 trees in the Fall Planting.  Randy will have the species list to Judy by Friday (9/12) so we can seek quotes from area suppliers.  Judy will work with the Township Purchasing Agent (Francis Decibus); plan is to select the vendor by our October meeting and have planting complete before year end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.      Tree Removals/Prunings

- several trees on Woods End have been removed.

 

12.     Updated Community Forestry Plan

- No update.

 

13.     Old Business

- K&J Landscapers’ trees at Paws Park need to be replaced – still no update.  Chris will send Judy an email detailing all the contact attempts, Judy will speak with Francis Decibus.

- Jack will remove the snow fencing around the trees in Paws Park and replace with the Deer Guards.

- Randy has spoken with Norm Nelson (Township Poet Laureate) and shared information about Tree City USA.

- Discussed the acorn gathering at the First Presbyterian Church – our plan is to harvest acorns and Jack will send to the State for incubation.  Charlie will be on the lookout and advise us when it is “acorn season”.

- Subcommittees: Mark will call the Township Clerk in Jackson Township and ask for an update about their Tree Fund.  It was agreed that we will not submit anything yet to the Township Attorney for his review.

 

14.     New Business

- Mark go the approved tree list from Engineering’s Chuck Drews which listed about 6 varieties of trees, and also mentioned the Shade Tree Commission as the source. Jack and Charlie will discuss appropriate trees for the area and we will discuss in October or November.

- Randy will contact the Planning Board Chairperson offering advisory assistance for landscaping plans and including our Forestry Plan in the Master Plan.

 

15.     Next Meeting:   October 15, 2008 at 7:15.

 

15.      Adjournment

            9:45 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Judy O’Connell

Secretary