Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Shade Tree Commission
Monday April 4, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Attendees: Anne Lighturn, Pete Ritchings, and Louise Stillufsen
Absent: Dennis and Mary Ellin Malazzo, Peter Renner, Dave Smith and Caryn Byrnes, liaison
Guest Attendance: MJ Gradel and Clem Bremer
Anne opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. The approval of the March 7th meeting minutes were moved to the May meeting. Anne reported that Bill Brash’s presentation on March 23rd was a success and well attended.
MJ Gradel reported that she has supplied JCP&L with the Commission’s landscape plan and rough cost estimates. She has not heard back from them.
Louise reported on the tremendous response to the spring Beautiful Tree Program. A record number of over twenty five trees have been ordered, with most coming from Point Boro.
Anne reported on the disappointing low acceptance rate, of 7 trees, for the spring “Nominate Your Block” program. The commission discussed wording for the notification letters to revert to prior year’s letters for a fall program.
The commission voted to request that borough to purchase a projector and larger screen for all committees. Anne will see what can be done with the automatic lights going on and off.
The sample memorial paver has not been received. MJ will be draft a proposal for a memorial tree program. She has been researching several towns’ programs and has some excellent recommendations that would be appropriate for Point Beach.
Anne has not heard back from the borough on the Peace Tree proposal from last meeting. MJ will reach out again for an answer. The location recommended is at the Lake of the Lillies, corner of Newark and Saint Louis. Installation targeted for Arbor Day. Pete Ritchings will handle getting the tree planted when the town decides.
The commission discussed alternate sites for the proposed heritage tree and container nursery. The locations behind the firehouse and in the firehouse planting strip on Arnold are acceptable. Anne will forward to Caryn Byrnes for borough approval. Pete Ritchings will handle the planting pending borough approval.
There was a brief discussion on tree tags but no decision. Pete Ritchings invited STC members to join the Environmental Commission on April 23rd at Point Boro’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday April 23rd.
Pete Ritchings will chair the May meeting in Anne’s absence.
Meeting adjourned 8:20 pm
