SHADE TREE COMMISSION MINUTES
February 28, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm.
Present: Michael Orsini, Jeff Baumley, Jean Gierlich, Sheila Geoghegan, Barbara Jaquett, Berit Marshall, Bruce Hamilton, Bonnie von Ohlen
Absent: Al Galdi, Mark Evans
Also present: Patti Poff

Patti Poff from the Bunker Hill Environmental Education Center (BHEEC) was introduced and updated the status and condition of the approx. 70 Liberty Elms housed at the BHEEC. Jeff Baumley discussed the directions he wrote on how to plant and care for the elms. 70 copies were made by Bonnie and given to Patti for distribution with the elms. B. Jaquett asked what incentive there is to buy the tree from us. J. Baumley noted disease-tolerance, and it was mentioned by several that often people will pay more to help a cause, in this case wetlands restoration by the BHEEC. S. Geoghegan asked what exactly are the Liberty Elms and B. Hamilton discussed how they are produced, that they are seedlings and not asexually propagated on rootstock, etc.

In response to question by M. Orsini, P. Poff said people should come to the BHEEC between 2-4pm M-F to pick up elms. J. Baumley will drop off bamboo stakes and tape to tie trees, as well as look at condition of trees. Based on his assessment, price can be adjusted from 65.00ea. Suggested also to sell 2 for 100.00, which will also be adjusted if needed. M. Orsini, who noted that Council passed a rider so that the STC can receive and disburse money, would handle reimbursement for cost of stakes and trees. Will be handled by finance dept. P. Poff suggested explaining wetlands restoration, other things that BHEEC does. M. Orsini will post info on website, Franklin First News, and if possible Home News/Courier News. Also use word-of-mouth to anyone we see. B.Hamilton mentioned drought, people unwilling to plant. M. Orsini noted that new plantings could still be legally watered even under strict restrictions like summer of '99. B. Hamilton suggested collected rainwater can be used to water a lot of plantings and J. Baumley noted benefits of drip irrigation. M. Orsini will post a note about drought and tips suggested on website also. All info on purchasing the Elm trees will be written by M. Orsini, given to P. Poff for review, then posted on website. P. Poff will try to get info on school cable channel.

P. Poff discussed Earth Day celebration, passed out sample flier. Date is Sunday April 21st from 11-3. STC will have its own table, we must staff. M. Orsini, B. Marshall, B. Jaquett, S. Geoghegan, and J. Gierlich agreed to help. J. Baumley busy with nursery, B. Hamilton speaking engagement. M. Orsini thought we had enough, he will be there the whole time, but even an hour or two of each person's time will be enough to relieve him. Will pass out STC flier, free trees. M. Orsini asked if someone could investigate making a banner with the Commission's name to hang above display. B. Jaquett volunteered to help make one. Of trees that NJ Tree Foundation provides, it was suggested that white pine and tulip poplar would be best, maybe some sweetgum. M. Orsini will ask for approx. 50 trees for STC to plant on April 27th for Arbor Day and 100-150 for distribution at the BHEEC. Anything left over can be planted by STC.

M. Orsini mentioned that since Arbor Day is Friday April 26th, we would do our planting on the 27th. Dunham Lebed, Inman, Naaman Williams other parks all a possibility, wherever DPW, township wants trees. DPW will dig holes. J. Baumley says all that needs to be done is scraping of surface for 1-2 ft. trees. Very important since in red shale, roots will not grow out of hole if hole is not scraped, will be just like growing in a pot and tree will die. M. Orsini will convey to M. Evans what needs to be done, good idea to convey to DPW so trees that they plant don't die Need volunteers to plant-Al Galdi providing mulch 5-6 yds3 or whatever fits in his truck. More info at March meeting.

M. Orsini discussed Treekeepers program, application. Will work well with Hamilton street business district façade improvement. Passed out packets from David Brown, Hamilton St. Business District coordinator. P. Poff suggested publicizing to scouting leaders, teachers, put on cable channel at High School. She will pass this around. It was agreed that scouts were a great idea, M. Orsini will follow up. Bonnie von Ohlen left at this time.

J. Baumley discussed his materials being prepared for website-"Best Trees to Plant in Franklin". Has 15 flowering trees broken down by time of flowering, other characteristics 10 shade trees, 8 trees for wet sites. Will finalize with B. Hamilton and send to M. Orsini for website posting. P. Poff and B. Hamilton suggested including info on where these trees can be found in Franklin, such as van Wickle house, Meadows foundation, etc. Can't list private property. Also link to Rutgers gardens, and trees found there. Everyone liked this idea. Decided that B. Hamilton will review list from J. Baumley and where trees exist in Franklin or at Rutgers Gardens will post a symbol next to tree and brief directions to find tree. This info can be added at later date, since it is important to get the tree info up as soon as possible since we are entering planting season.

Since Mark Evans is absent, detailed discussion of Dunham Lebed Park planting will be put off to March meeting. However, M. Orsini has visited site and since it's small, will only be able to plant some trees around perimeter, maybe some shade trees for playground area. Short flowering trees will work best on 15th St. side since there are overhead wires. 2 or 3 larger trees to shade playground area. 90 conifers in capital budget to screen neighbors' backyards will be installed by DPW. Suggested that they not put all white pines but some mix of white pines, blue spruce, Norway spruce, etc. since white pines while fast-growing are somewhat sensitive to drought and very common anyway. J. Baumley suggested that 5 ft. on center might be too close; M. Orsini pointed out that plantings are staggered; will discuss with M. Evans. B. Hamilton suggested that some flowering trees offsetting the conifer row would look nice; M. Orsini agreed but thought there would not be sufficient room not to encroach on soccer field. Will put item first on agenda to finalize in March.

Berit Marshall updated her liaison with Veteran's Memorial Committee (VMC). Plan to put memorial in roundabout near municipal building not Mindell tract, since library expansion, and parking for library/memorial will take up a lot of it. One plan was presented with a walkway and berms that everyone liked. Given small size of site, it is unlikely that STC can do a memorial tree program, but rather will be asked for advice for tree plantings for groves, walkway, contemplative areas with benches, etc. M. Orsini asked about screening from DeMott Lane; B. Marshall noted that VMC wants view of site from road. However, some screening is likely to be needed-is this provided by berms? If not, could plant more trees to alleviate noise, site of road to insure a better experience for visitors. Berit will continue to attend VMC meetings and report to us.

M. Orsini showed website from Freehold Township Memorial Arboretum. Was suggested by John Clyde and Ken Daly that Toto open space might be a good place for tree farm for township. J. Baumley and B. Hamilton noted how labor intensive this could be. Need deer fencing, drip irrigation and near full time maintenance to combat weeds and disease. A Township memorial arboretum would be much easier to do in this space-can plant bigger trees that need less care and are permanent on site. All members agreed this was a good idea. M. Orsini suggested we all keep thinking about it, but that now since we are newly formed and our plate is full, that we focus on what's before us.

M. Orsini mentioned that Bonnie von Ohlen has instructed us to decide where tree inventory portion of CSIP grant should be performed. B. Hamilton suggested historic sites around town, street trees. Patti Poff noted approx 350 acres behind BHEEC purchased or donated from Goldstar contains many old and interesting trees. M. Orsini noted that inventory couldn't be performed on private property but that the aforementioned suggestions were fine. He suggested all members to think about it some more and will finalize with B. Hamilton at March meeting. Interns from Rutgers will perform the work, all monies are in grant.

S. Geoghegan reported her visit with Bill Comerly from Paramus, NJ STC. M. Orsini will place her on agenda to brief the entire group at the next meeting.

A motion to open the meeting to the public was made and seconded. No members of the public were present and no one spoke. The public portion was closed.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 pm.

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