SHADE TREE COMMISSION MINUTES
May 23rd 2002

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm.
Present: Orsini, Galdi, Gierlich, Geoghegan, Evans, Marshall, Jaquett
Absent: Baumley, Hamilton
Also Present: David Brown, Pat Gianatto, Bonnie von Ohlen

M. Orsini passed out copies of press clippings from Arbor Day event, township proclamation.

Pat Gianatto of the Hamilton St. Business District Advisory Board presented his comments and concerns on streetscape improvements in the HSBD. Somerset County will remove trees in their right-of-way pending a letter from the Shade Tree Commission. Township and PSEG will prune trees-we need to make sure they do it correctly. What type of assurance can we get form business owner that trees will be replaced with more appropriate ones and the site not just left bare? Pat suggested a signed letter from the business owner but probably not legally enforceable-hopefully good will and the example set by others will help.

M. Orsini asked Bonnie to look into grants from organizations that fund urban redevelopment to see if some money can be obtained to do improvements along parts of the street that township owns or as common space that will not be addressed by individual property owners. This would be over and above tree-specific grants.

Pat wants short list of trees-shade, flowering etc, among which owners can choose-pictures will be helpful. Also pruning guidelines-Al Galdi thought this was in Arbor Day packet from State-we will check, can also call National Arbor Day, they should have guidelines too.

After some discussion, it was decided that each business owner should present some information to Commission prior to receiving a letter to remove trees. E.g. survey or drawing of trees to be removed/replaced, dimensions of sidewalk, etc. This is important since planting areas in some cases is quite small-only 8 feet or so from building to curb. In this way we can advise to insure that inappropriate trees are not planted or taken down and offer suggestions on the best tree for the site. People should not be afraid to appear before us and we intend to make the process very friendly. It was suggested that if the information was complete and the plan agreeable, that an appearance would not be necessary. David and Pat will be informed of all business that comes before us pertaining to Hamilton St. and its result. This type of evaluation will also help to insure that trees taken down are replaced. Mention of site visits. M. Orsini stated he thought it doubtful that members of shade tree commission could visit every site due to work and family obligations, that is why the plans should be presented at our meetings, we could even reserve the first portion of the meeting for Hamilton St. issues. B. Jacquett and J. Gierlich suggested a checklist or form to provide us with basic information. They will compose one and present to HSBD. B. Jacquett volunteered to do some visits and/or take photos if needed since she is often in the area on other business.

M. Orsini suggested that Dave Brown or Pat talk to Joe Russo to get some guidelines on sidewalk width, etc. so we can know how much room could safely be devoted to tree planting.

The meeting was opened to the public.

Orlando Gines, 221 Burns St. spoke on his desire to have some trees planted at end of Kee St. to prevent illegal dumping. Kee is paper street here. He is asking for vacation by town so he can maintain-he mows it now. If vacated and no longer municipal property, STC cannot plant trees, but would be willing to advise. If it stays township property, we could plant if trees/funds available; will compete with other projects. Issue raised as to whether town would want trees planted in middle of paper street. M. Orsini will talk with Township Manager Ken Daly to help to resolve the issue; will get back to Mr. Gines. B. Jaquett raised the possibility that if dumpsite is screened form view, dumping will be hidden and enforcement will be harder. Might be better to plant trees in the open space. Issue will have to wait until question of vacation is resolved.

There being no one else present who wished to speak, the public portion was closed.

Drip irrigation materials and cost for BHEEC site is being investigated by J. Baumley and he will report at next meeting.

National Tree Trust grant form was finalized and being prepared by Sheila, Barbara and Bonnie-due May 31st. We will get 300 trees initially to pot up, which is minimal amount we can get. A. Galdi pointed out that we potted 100 in about an hour, so we should be able to do this. 100 bald cypress, 100 Northern Red oak (state tree) and 100 flowering dogwood.

We have over 2000 dollars left from CSIP grant. Mark Evans will talk with Andy Twiford to get this spent. Suggestions are Dunham Lebed, but addition of more playground equipment-may need to wait until it's in place. Also fence line at Inman park-fire a few years ago destroyed row of white pine.

Memorial event for Sept. 11th 2002-plant a dawn redwood at each school (8 trees). We are trying to get these donated.

Report on survival of Arbor Day trees. Most deciduous trees (ash, sweet gum) at Al's farm are doing well-may have lost 1 or 2 at most. About half of white pine survived, but some of these were left over from Earth Day and were well traveled. They have all been mulched. J. Gierlich reported everything looks OK at East Millstone and B. Marshall said everything is alive (tulip poplar) at Flemer Preserve-some look better than others, and she will water if needed. M. Orsini said one white pine cut down or eaten at Delar Park, everything deciduous looks OK. Everyone keep tabs on them as yearly reports are due and we can get replacements.

M. Orsini gave everyone a copy of Environmental Commission's tree guidelines. We will update and revise it as our summer project. Expand lists of preferred trees (street, parking lot, foundation, etc), other guidelines to insure they are doable and practical. Want to make it easy and user-friendly so it will be complied with.

M. Orsini mentioned that sometimes people will become aware of our membership on the STC and wish to have sites evaluated, trees planted, etc. In dealing with public requests, we must insist that people to present their ideas, etc. at our public meetings. First and foremost, this must be done according to law and secondly it places unfair demands on our time to be "freelance" shade tree committee members.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

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