20210914 - Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission

Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2021

 

Opening

The regular meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission was called to order at 7:35PM on September 14, 2021 by Andrew Lowry.

 

Present

Andrew Lowry, Michael Sedon, Melody Corcoran, Ian Keller, Carolyn Jacoby, Declan Madden, Manish Shrimali, Mahmoud Hamza

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes for August 10, 2021 was made by Carolyn Jacoby, seconded by Andrew Lowry, and approved by all present.

 

Tree Protection Ordinance

 A tree protection ordinance will again be brought up before the village officials on September 20. Mike Sedon will report back to the STC at the STC October meeting. The major purpose of the ordinance is to prevent clear cutting of properties by owners or developers. For each tree removed, there would be either (1) a $500 fee charged that would be placed in a “tree bank” for future tree plantings in the village or (2) the replanting of new trees on the property to replace those that were removed.

Ian Keller will check on the tree protection ordinances in other Bergen County towns.

The ordinance should be introduced at the October village council public meeting. It would then go to the council at the end of October and would be voted on at the beginning of November.

It is important to get this ordinance passed in any form; it needs to be on the books. Then, if necessary, it can be amended and refined later.

 

EAB Treatment, 2019 Trees

EAB treatment of ash trees will begin on September 16, starting with trees on Eastern Court and Wyndemere Avenue.

Declan Madden has completed the checkup of trees planted in 2019.

Andrew Lowry has received the requisition needed to obtain the informational gator bag labels.

 

Capital Budget

For the 2022 capital budget, the STC is requesting $500,000 to include tree planting and EAB tree removals and treatments.

 

CFMP

Due to the pandemic, the CFMP 5 year plan requirement has been extended to 10 years. The STC will, nevertheless, begin an informal new plan. If necessary, Ron Farr can again be hired to make the plan formal; his fee of $3500 would be paid from the operating budget, not the capital budget.

 

Central Business District

Two quotes for the CBD tree well revitalization plan have been received. Ramapo Tree has quoted $4000 for eight tree wells or $500 per tree. Davis Tree has quoted $5613 for seven tree wells or $801 per tree. Bartlett Tree has not submitted a quote yet; they have concerns about the debris from air spading in the CBD. One more quote in needed before a vendor can be chosen. The work should be performed this fall.

Mayor Susan Knudsen is in favor of the plan to replant 22 tree wells on East Ridgewood Avenue between Maple Avenue and Cottage Place, eleven tree wells on each side of the street. Trees and stumps will be removed, new soil and mulch added to each, gator bags attached to the trees. The cost of this project is estimated to be $20,000 to $38,500. Funding could possibly come from year end budget transfers. Three formal quotes will be needed for this work because the cost is over $17,500.

 

Village Forester

The STC is recommending Declan Madden for the position of village forester. The Parks and Shade Department is hiring more people so this change should be possible. Having a village forester responsible for the implementation and enforcing of a tree protection ordinance is essential.

The STC plans to meet with Nancy Bigos by the end of October to make the case for all STC requests.

 

Memorial Trees, Resident Tree Requests

 A 9/11 memorial cherry tree with plaque was planted in Van Neste Square.

Four or five additional memorial trees have also been planted. The Shade Tree crew has planted these trees. The cost for these memorial trees is $250, the accompanying plaque approximately $400.

This year 60-70 residents requested trees to be planted in front of their properties. Because no trees were planted this year, these residents need to be notified that the trees will be planted next year. Carolyn Jacoby, Mike Sedon, Ian Keller and Manish Shrimali will work on a social media post to inform residents about the plantings. This post will also link to the EAB information on the village website.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:10PM by: Andrew Lowry.

Minutes submitted by: Melody Corcoran

 

Volunteer Hours: 9