20210810 - Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission

Meeting Minutes

August 10, 2021

Opening

The regular meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission was called to order at 7:33PM on August 10, 2021 by Andrew Lowry. The meeting was held virtually on Zoom.

Present

Andrew Lowry, Michael Sedon, Melody Corcoran, Ian Keller, Carolyn Jacoby, Declan Madden, Mahmoud Hamza, Colin Milde

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes for June 8, 2021 was made by Andrew Lowry, seconded by Carolyn Jacoby, and approved by all present.

Ramapo Tree Service CBD Tree Remediation Proposal

Colin Milde, owner of Ramapo Tree Service, met with Carolyn Jacoby to inspect the CBD trees and tree wells. He determined that less than 50% of the trees in the CBD are viable. He said that improper planting depth and tree species not suited to the CBD are the main reasons for the failure of so many trees. He has proposed removing the compacted soil by airspade or manually to uncover the root flares and then adding Nutrimulch for several years. This work should ideally be done this fall and should result in stem elongation and better leaves next spring. Colin has quoted a price of $500 per tree well.

Declan Madden said that according to Bartlett Tree, trees to be airspaded need to be well hydrated both before and after the treatment. Trees that are best suited to treatment and in a low traffic area should be treated first. Declan suggested the locusts and gingkos as being the most suitable trees for treatment and either Oak or Chestnut Streets between Ridgewood and Franklin Avenues as the best areas to work in.

A funding source for this project needs to be determined. Engineering needs to look at what needs to be blocked out for the work to proceed with minimal CBD disruption. Declan will get two additional estimates for this work and choose the trees to be treated. Carolyn Jacoby will contact Nancy Bigos requesting that Declan be given time to accomplish these tasks. Mike Sedon needs the quotes, sites and funding information by August 24^th; he will bring this proposal up at the September 1 village council work session.

CBD Tree Well Maintenance

There is a village ordinance that states that the landlords of the CBD buildings are responsible for tree well maintenance, i.e. weeding. Non-compliance with the ordinance can result in the issuing of fines. Landlords need to be reminded of this ordinance and  the village needs to enforce it.

Tree Watering

Watering of newly planted trees has not been set up with the contractors yet. The trees have been relying on homeowners filling the gator bags and the heavy rainfalls that have occurred this summer.

Gator Bag Stickers

Andrew Lowry has ordered 250 gator bag stickers from Ridgewood Press. The stickers cost $2.50 each and should last 2-3 years. Declan Madden has approved the copy on the stickers about watering, mulching, etc. The stickers also request that the residents call the Parks and Shade Tree Department with any questions. The stickers can be paid for either by Parks and Shade Tree funds or from the STC trust fund.

2022 Capital Budget Request

A 2022 capital budget request of $500,000 for tree plantings, tree removals, CBD tree well remediation, completion of the tree inventory, EAB ash tree treatments, etc. has been recommended. Andrew Lowry will send out his budget proposal to the STC members this week for review and comment and will forward this information to Nancy Bigos next week.

Ash tree removals have already started and will greatly impact some areas of the village. To answer any questions that residents might have about this, an explanatory e-notice about EAB and ash trees needs to be sent immediately. Mike Sedon will contact Heather Mailander to get the e-notice sent out.

The removal of so many trees should help get resident support for the STC budget request.

CFMP

Due to COVID, the CFMP plan has been extended to another 5 years. The current plan now expires 12/31/2026.

Grants and CEUs

Most of the tree-related grants currently available are dependent on per capita income. Ridgewood does not meet any of these current criteria.

The STC has officially accrued only 3 of the annual 8 CUEs required by CFMP. All members of the STC need to register any credits that they have accrued through webinars and other online means this year.

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM by: Andrew Lowry

Minutes submitted by: Melody Corcoran

Volunteer Hours: 8.75