Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Shade Tree Commission
Monday May 2, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Attendees: Peter Ritchings, Mary Ellen Mallazzo, Louise Stillufsen, and Dave Smith,
Absent: Anne Lightburn, Dennis Mallazo, Peter Renner and Council Liaison, Caryn Byrnes
Guest Attendance: Clem Bremer and Bill O’Shea
Peter Ritchings chaired the meeting in Anne Lightburn’s absence. The meeting opened at approximately 7:05 pm.
This Commission approved the April and March 2022 Meeting Minutes.
Mary Jo Gradel was not able to attend the meeting but reported by email that she had no update regarding JCP&L. Mary Jo indicated that the last message from JCP&L was that they will be planting at the New Jersey Avenue offices during this spring in line with the landscaping of their other facilities.
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.
Peter Ritchings reports that he has made some but little progress regarding updating the Shade Tree Commission recommended list for street trees. Peter Ritchings is using and modifying the Bradley Beach document.
There was a discussion regarding establishing a native tree species list and adopting it as the official recommended list of trees for Point Pleasant Beach.
There was a brief discussion regarding scheduling additional educational workshops and sessions, such as pruning.
There was a discussion regarding sidewalk construction that would minimize sidewalk lifting by street tree roots. Clem Bremer mentioned that in Borough Hall there is a book that provides details for a sidewalk construction method that minimizes the incidence of lifting by tree roots.
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.
The Commission discussed alternate sites for the proposed heritage tree and container nursery. Pete Ritchings commented that the area by the Firehouse was used during Little League games and is therefore not suitable.
There was a brief discussion on tree ID tags.
Mary Ellen Mallazzo made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Louise Stillufsen.
Meeting adjourned 7:55 pm
