Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Shade Tree Commission
November 7, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Attendees: Anne Lightburn, Mary Ellin Mallazzo, Peter Ritchings and Louise Stillufsen
Absent: Peter Renner, Dave Smith, Dennis Mallazzo and Liaison Caryn Byrnes
Guest Attendance: MJ Gradel
Anne opened the meeting at 7:00 pm. The October meeting minutes were approved with minor correction. Anne thanked Bill O’Shea for his professional opinion on the tree at 309 Cook’s Lane.
Louise reported that one more Big Beautiful Tree needs to be planted, otherwise the planting went smoothly. Mary Ellin was disappointed in the response to the Nominate Your Block Program with so many opting out. In discussion, the commission felt a more personal approach would get greater participation by residents, if we called on the, personally.
Pete reported on the Annual Shade Tree Federation Conference and felt the sessions were not as interesting and the exhibit floor smaller that he anticipated.
MJ reported on the Memorial Tree Program and several borough locations were suggested including: traffic islands on Laurel and Parkway and the lakes. MJ will remain in contact with JCP&L to get them to plant trees along the fence, close to the RR tracks, on New Jersey Ave.
The commission discussed the budget and agreed to increase our request to $12,000. This will include new projects for a boulder and memorial plaque for the Peace Tree and anticipated increases for the cost of trees.
No new action on the Do Not Plant list, the school project for Peace Plaque wording and Memorial Tree Program. Anne suggested adding the Newark Ave. Park for a memorial site.
The commission discussed a Holiday get together with the Environmental Commission. Louise will handle finding a place for Dec. 16th. Event will include significant others and spouses.
There has not been feedback from Caryn Byrnes regarding the commission’s recommendation to include Hazard trees in the borough’s unkempt yard ordinance. The consensus is that the commission will push for this as a public safety issue.
Meeting adjourned 7:58 pm.
