20220809 - Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes

Subject: STC meeting minutes / Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Meeting called to order via Zoom at 7:08pm by Carolyn Jacoby.  

Attendees present: Carolyn Jacoby, Matt Andreula, Yamini Chinni, Vicky Van Dyke, Mahmoud Hamza, Nancy Brennan-Hill, Declan Madden, Michael Sedon, Andrew Lowry and recently appointed member, Maria Demasco.

No minutes from the June, 2022 meeting were provided.

Update on Fall 2022 planting and bids:  Declan reviewed the bids specs for the CBD and Street tree plantings. CBD trees will receive watering through year and again next May through October.  Street trees will be watered at initial planting time.  2x follow up watering was suggested.  Homeowners will be provided with info about best watering practices and filling of gator bag.  88 trees are scheduled for the CBD.  Species are Swamp White Oak. Willow Oak, Red Maples, Trident Maples and Amalanchia.  160 Street trees will be planted to fulfill current resident requests and begin replanting areas with Ash tree loss.  Bid for the CBD will be opened on August 11 and the following week for the Street trees.

2023 Capital Budget, needs and wish-list:  175 Ash trees treated for EAB in 2020 will again need treatment in 2022.  It was suggested that an additional ~150 be removed.  (Declan thinks the total number of street Ashes was ~550.  Carolyn thinks it’s was more like ~650.).   Discussion about number of trees to be planted (completing the CBD, fulfilling resident requests and re-treeing Ash depleted streets) to mitigate continued net canopy loss ranged from 300 to 500.

2023 Operating Budget:  To ensure best practices and continued proper care and maintenance of trees, along with the growing demise of trees needing removal, one full time Shade Tree department member should be hired for the tree crew.  Additionally, the skills and expertise of a certified, licensed arborist should be utilized on a full time basis.  This would allow for the needed oversight of contracted projects and the time required for structural tree maintenance, both required to a develop healthy trees and lessen the continued decline of trees due to lack of pruning, general  maintenance and care.

Other: With a large number of hazardous sidewalks identified, Declan and the crew have been evaluating trees needing removal due to inevitable instability from required root grinding and healthy trees that can be sustained by a round-out sidewalk.  Residents have recently been more aware and sensitive to street tree loss and have reached out to the Council for consideration of costs incurred if a sidewalk ramp-over is needed. Andrew suggested that this issue be further reviewed before going to the Council. Michael suggested that the Council can appoint an ad hoc committee to review and suggest ways to remedy the concerns.  Andrew agreed to participate on the committee.

Board of Education:  Carolyn has met with representatives from Aramark, the landscape and facilities management organization for the district.  Dead limbs overhanging playground areas at schools were reviewed and removal should be completed before the start of school.  Volcano mulches surrounding trees at the high school and Orchard school were to be remediated, in addition to a few trees at the BOE building.

Library:  Carolyn was asked to review plans to refurbish the landscaping at the front entrance of the Library along Maple Avenue.  Dying and diminished trees that are encroaching on the roof and building facade need removal and structural pruning.  A tree service will be contracted for the work. The maple tree with limbs overhanging the sidewalk and utility lines is greatly diminished and needs removal.  A landscaper will be consulted to refurbish the plants and shrubs.

Carolyn again outreached to all members that there is a need for active participation on the STC:  a recoding Secretary needs to be assigned or the duty will be rotated monthly among members; subcommittees need to be formed to address areas of concern to the Commission.

Meeting adjourned at 9:08pm.

(20 volunteer hours)