Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Shade Tree Commission Minutes
Present: Anne Lightburn, Peter Ritchings and Peter Renner
Absent: Elaine Hennessy and Councilman Vogel
Guest: Russ Kelly
Anne Lightburn called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Anne reported that Chris Riehl will be working with the landscape contractor regarding the missing trees at Lake of the Lillies. Councilman Kanitra will be handling it with her. Maureen Campbell, forester with JCP&L met with some commission members regarding their imminent pruning activities. The county will be removing 15 trees on Broadway and Chicago. Anne will contact Chris Riehl to see if the county has plans to replant. If the county has no plan to replant, the STC will seek council support to lobby the county for replanting.
Peter Ritchings will be handling setting up a commission email account with Eileen Farrell and contacting K. Mills to include the STC in Planning Board notification of development applications.
Anne reported that the state has changed the format for annual accomplishment report, which Peter Renner will help complete.
Anne distributed copies of Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) for everyone to read for discussion at our February meeting. Russ Kelly will look into getting a grant application for consultant services for this project. He will also get information and filing dates for applying for the CISP grant for conducting a street tree inventory, including hazardous trees.
The commission approved Pete Ritchings draft memo notifying residents of a hazardous tree(s) situation. He will work with Elaine Petrillo to finalize the letter. We will be sending out once approved.
Peter Renner recommended that the commission’s decision on the tree removal permit for 507 Trenton be denied at this time as the tree looks healthy. He recommended a spring evaluation and sidewalk curving if the commission decision stands. Commission voted to deny at this time.
One project for 2018 is to plant 5-6 trees on a barren street as we did in 2017. Peter Renner suggested Atlantic Avenue. As we will need funds for this Anne will clarify with Chris Riehl the process for obtaining forfeited bond money for this project. We will finalize the location at our Feb. meeting.
Peter Ritchings will be bring samples and suggestions for ordinances for protecting trees from clear-culling on knockdown and development lots. He will also do the same for pruning trees.
Meeting adjourned 8:10
