Shade Tree Comission Meeitng Minutes 20180414

Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission

Meeting Minutes

April 17, 2018

Opening
The regular meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission was called to order at 7:35PM on April 17, 2018 by Andrew Lowry.

Present
Andrew Lowry, Michael Sedon, Dan Cramblitt, Melody Corcoran, Ian Keller, Carolyn Jacoby, Bron Sutherland, Declan Madden

Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes for March 13, 2018 was made by Bron Sutherland, seconded by Ian Keller, and approved by all present.

CFMP Accomplishment Report
The report was completed by Andrew Lowry, Dan Cramblitt and Manish Shrimali. Although submitted after the published deadline, the report was accepted. Previous years’ CFMP accomplishment plans will be used as the basis for future plan objectives.

Graydon Tree
A replacement tree will most likely be planted in the fall after obtaining more recommendations about what species of tree to plant. The sycamore stump can be removed, the hole filled in, and grass planted until a replacement tree is chosen. The village council will announce the species of tree chosen.

Cahilly Lecture
The Graydon Sycamore Case Study lecture by Wayne Cahilly was very well received. Perhaps he can be invited back in the future to lecture on another topic.

Tree City and Arbor Day
A proclamation is needed from the village council proclaiming Arbor Day. The STC will have a table at the Earth Day event held in Van Neste Square on April 22^nd. Information about the STC and Adopt-a-Tree will be available for residents.

CBD Tree Wells
Andrew Hillman of the Davey Resource Group is available at a cost of approximately $95/hour as a consultant for the CBD tree wells.

To be considered for improving the current tree wells are the following: larger wells or longer runs of open ground that would contain more than one tree, removal of the brick bands around the current tree wells, rubberized permeable mulch, and structural soil. Species of trees that do well in small spaces need to be researched. Gingko, hornbeam and honey locust are all currently doing well in the CBD.
Funds need to be allocated to improve the CBD tree wells and provide for watering of the trees. Possible sources for these funds are next year‘s village budget and funds from the CBDAC.
Ian Keller, Carolyn Jacoby and Dan Cramblitt will determine what needs to be covered in the consult with Hillman.

 Nursery
The potted trees need to moved into the furrows in the nursery and mulched. The pawpaw trees, which are not suitable as street trees, can be planted along the brook in the 700 block of Linwood Avenue.

New Members
Some residents have applied for membership in the Shade Tree Commission.

Grants
The village grant writers need to research available grants and organizations which have grants available. NJDEP website has a list of grants. The STC can then choose which grants should be applied for. Andrew Lowry will follow-up on this process.

Adopt-a-Tree
Nancy Bigos, director of Parks and Recreation, has determined there will be a May planting of adopt-a-trees this year. Currently, the application for adopt-a-tree has a June 30^th deadline for fall tree planting. Fall is the best time to plant trees. Dan Cramblitt will discuss the May planting with Ms. Bigos.

Bee City Proclamation
Ridgewood is the first Bee City in New Jersey. One of the newly planted oak trees will be dedicated in honor of bee pollinator week.

Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05PM by: Andrew Lowry.
Minutes submitted by: Melody Corcoran

Volunteer Hours: 7.5 hours