Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset
County, New Jersey
SHADE
TREE COMMISSION MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm. Present: M. Orsini,
A. Galdi, J. Baumley, B. Marshall, S. Geoghegan, M. Evans, R. Fleischman Mike Orsini gave a brief update on various topics. We received a request from Delaware regarding purchase of some Liberty Elms, and Mike will follow up. We are still a regional nursery and can sell trees to groups that want them. We can also get free elms to continue selling these and can use the profits to fund the Commission. The consensus was that we should pursue a new allotment of trees, but first need to divest ourselves of the current 35 or so we still have. They cannot stay in containers much beyond this season. Beverly Maddalone has informed us that a tree was planted for the Township Bicentennial at Elizabeth Ave. elementary, but has since died and needs to be replaced. Al can take one over this spring. The plaque is still there. Mike Orsini discussed the PSEG info on utility line vegetation maintenance that is posted on the website and passed out copies. We need to be familiar with the procedure in case we are asked about it. This information was given to us after Mike Orsini met with PSEG representatives. They inform us that they will contact property owners directly abutting the lines by phone or in person, rather than leave door hangers. If that fails, they send a certified letter and do not commence work until 5 days after receipt. The website info has this information along with who to contact at PSEG, locations of the work, and a list of approved trees that can be planted next to and under utility lines with approval from PSEG. Overall, they appear to be very receptive to working with individuals to address their concerns, explain the procedure and work to mitigate negative effects from loss of buffering, etc. Once the exact dates of the work are received, these will also be posted. Mike Orsini was contacted by a person from Pompton Plains in Morris County who is interested in starting a Shade Tree Commission there and saw the website, which seem to be a model for other towns. He may attend one of our future meetings. Scott Latham, who is doing the tree inventory and assessment project, was unable to attend this meeting, but will give a presentation at a future meeting. Al talked about the highlights of Core Training he attended 2/22/03. Pam Tappen from the State Dept. of Forestry was knowledgeable about the status of all state Shade Tree Commissions. Ours is in good shape with an approved management plan and the required Core and CEU training. Highlights included an update on case law pertaining to Shade Tree Commissions, tree license plates and the no net loss law. 38 dollars of every 50 dollars charged for the tree license plate goes to fund grants like CSIP. It ranks 8th among 18 specialty plates in popularity. Everyone was urged to get these plates to support our Commission and others like it. No net loss law states that for every tree lost on state property due to road projects, etc., these must be replaced elsewhere. Also, money for CSIP grants has been suspended pending the outcome of the budget. State forestry is working to try to get some money, albeit at perhaps reduced levels. Jeff Baumley suggested several trees for the Township Memorial forest to plant. Among them: for shade, Green Vase (Zelkova), Acer rubrum (red Maple var. Red sunset and October Glory. For flowering, Kousa dogwood, Sweetbay Magnolia and Rutgers hybrid dogwoods. Jeff cautioned that many people may have a certain tree in mind to memorialize someone, and that those requests need to be honored for the program to succeed. The trees being obtained from the National Tree trust were discussed. They will be shipped to Baumley's along with 200 pots the week of March 24th. That means we should plan to plant on March 29th or April 5th (both Saturday's). We will need everyone to help. I'll be contacting Treekeepers, Boy Scouts, Lion's Club, etc. Al will check to see if Granny's might provide us with lunch. Jeff suggested that we try potting half of the trees with potting mix and compare that growth to plain earth. Since the National Tree Trust will reimburse us for soil, this was approved. Jeff will coordinate with Al to get 2 cubic yards or so out to the farm. Also raised was the issue of whether the 100 or so bald cypress can fit into 3-gallon pots. We can get 7 gallon if needed and have money to pay for them. Arbor Day was discussed as well. As soon as the snow melts, Mark Evans should coordinate with Jeff to mark the planting sites, so holes can be dug by public works. Mark cautioned that there would be a new tot lot installed so we must avoid planting trees in area of disturbance. The need to mark the sites is very clear. Council members have been invited to attend, so we need to coordinate smoothly. Also discussed were the dead pines in the parking lot of the multipurpose field. These should be removed. It was uncertain if any should be replaced, since there is very little room. We may investigate moving existing pines and replanting something else entirely. Mike is investigating lunch arrangements and coordinating press releases. We will discuss this in greater depth in March. Mike Orsini has had some success in getting some positive responses from local business for funding tree plantings. Sheila Geoghegan is setting up a meeting with Frank Hasner to follow up. Mike has been in contact with the Chamber of Commerce, but it is reorganizing under Joanne Kaiser, and this effort may take time. The best chances of short-term success are one-on-one meetings with local businesses. Sheila, Mike and Barbara will follow up using this route. Jeff Baumley attended a meeting in Boston for which he thought he should be awarded some CEUs. Al provided the method by which one can request CEU credit from the State for non-State-sponsored courses. Jeff will follow up. Using this method we can design courses for ourselves for CEUs. Jeff will also be attending the Bartlett tree seminar in March. Mike Orsini would like to attend stream restoration (April) and would like to see attendance at Hazardous Tree Identification as well. We will place this item on the agenda monthly so we can coordinate and plan. It was decided that we would try to fund planting of trees on DeMott between New Brunswick and Dellwood for the Garden Club of Somerset Hills grant. This area is only about half as wide as the strip on JFK, but can support shorter flowering trees like cherries, crabapples and dogwoods. Mike Orsini will write the grant application and submit through Bonnie von Ohlen. The meeting was opened to the public. Chuck Becht, who is a Certified Tree Expert and ISA certified arborist, lives in Franklin and is willing to assist us. The Commission would welcome his participation. There being no further speakers, the public portion was closed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm. Respectfully
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