Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes 20180213

Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission

Meeting Minutes

February 13, 2018

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission was called to order at 7:35PM on February 13, 2018 by Mike Sedon.

Present Commission members -  Mike Sedon, George Wolfson, Melody Corcoran, Carolyn Jacoby, Bron Sutherland, Dan Cramblitt, Ian Keller, Manish Shrimali

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes for January 9, 2018 was made by Ian Keller, seconded by Carolyn Jacoby, and approved by all present.

Pruning in CBD

No pruning by STC members can be done until there is clarification with the unions.

Spring Planting in CBD

Andrew Hillman will help draft the planting specifications to be put out for bid. Amounts of $10,000 or less require at least 3 quotes; they do not have to be bid out.

Removing the brick bands around the CBD tree wells is a possible first step to improving them. Excess mulch and soil also needs to be removed from the root flare of the trees.

Removing the excess mulch and soil is a project that could be undertaken by STC members.

CBD Advisory Committee

Mike Sedon and Ian Keller met with the CBDAC and explained to them what the STC is doing and planning to do in the CBD.Inviting store owners to an STC meeting to discuss trees, wells and the adopt-a-tree process should be considered as a way to get them involved and to get them understand what the STC is trying to do in the CBD. It must be made clear to the store owners that you can get a replacement tree faster if you adopt-a-tree for $350; but, the tree will not be planted until the best way to improve the tree wells has been determined and the well in front of their store has been improved. Tree well improvement costs approximately $2500 per well.

Gator Bag Labelling

Melody Corcoran is pricing round labels to be placed on gator bags for branding and marketing purposes. Minuteman Press quoted $160 for 200 5” round vinyl weatherproof labels. Ridgewood Press has not supplied their quote yet.

2018 Priorities

1. Tree wells
2. Marketing and promotion
3. CSIP grants
4. CFMP accomplishment report for 2017 must match the goals stated in the original application for STC status.

Grants

Millenium Strategies, the village grant writing firm, is applying to Sustainable Jersey for a $10,000 grant to be used for a tree inventory. An up-to-date village tree inventory needs to be maintained. A CSIP grant of $30,000 for planting 100 balled and burlaped 2 ½” diameter trees will be pursued. The vendor and their qualifications need to be included in the grant application. These grants need council approval of the amounts and the amounts need to be put in the village budget. If a grant proposal is approved, the village pays out the monies for the project first. Then when the grant monies are received, the village is reimbursed.

Speakers

Wayne Cahilly will be speaking at the library on April 10.

Graydon Sycamore

All STC members present agreed that 5 black tupelo trees of 2 ½” diameter should be planted on the island in Graydon to replace the sycamore. These trees will be planted by the parks department. It was suggested that the STC as a committee present this to the village council at their February 28 meeting.

Nursery

An inquiry had been made about purchasing land adjacent to the tree nursery. This land is not for sale at this time

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9PM by: Mike Sedon

Minutes submitted by: Melody Corcoran