NEW BRITAIN BOROUGH SHADE TREE COMMISSION MINUTES

OCTOBER 16,2017

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

1. At 7:30 P.M. Ben Rakus called the meeting to order and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

1. Those present were as follows: Ben Rakus, Fran Dougherty, Marge Eberz, Lorraine Moxey and Borough Manager Sam Bryant and Peter La Montagne. Jackie D’Agostino was absent.

3. Approval of Minutes

1. The reading of the minutes were read and corrected to the correct spelling of Colibraro Nursery. Lorraine Moxey made a motion to accept the corrected minutes, Fran Dougherty seconded it and all agreed.

4. Old Business

1. Aqua Landscape-Timeline

1. Fran Dougherty reported that the planting will started the following week- week of October 23, 2017

2. Borough Right of way Mapping

1. Sam Bryant reported that he had maps of areas mapped out by other boroughs and how they did it. For example: New Hope Borough had a firm do it. Possibly some people can do it. We would need a map with lines showing parcels.

3. Tree City Application Update

1. Sam Bryant sent in our application. The Pop-Up Park was used as our Arbor Day Activity. Arbor Day in PA is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Marge Eberz will contact Pine Run School about the Shade Tree Commission doing an Arbor Day Activity with them. Possibly a tree planting with the students.

5. New Business

1. PHS Tree Tenders

1. Jackie D’Agostino and Ben Rakus have completed the Tree Tenders Course

2. Service Roads

1. Recommend Removal of Ash Trees

1. The commission will be looking for a professional to cut down trees. A suggestion will be made to borough council to remove all Ash trees in Service Roads
2. Sam Bryant mentioned that PECO has a Greening Grant for $10,000.00-amatching Grant where the Borough would also put up $10,000.00. Bucks Beautiful will also put in trees and shrubs for municipalities. A motion was made by Lorraine Moxey to remove all the ash trees. It was seconded by Marge Eberz and all were in favor
3. A motion was made by Lorraine Moxey to look into applying for the PECO Greening Grant for Service Roads. It was seconded by Marge Eberz and all agreed.
4. Sam Bryant will send out to commission members a list of the trees to be planted along the edge of Tamanend Avenue next to New Britain Baptist Church.

2. New Plantings.

1. Beds instead of singularly planted trees along the Service Roads where ash trees grow,trees will be planted in a staggered line- The PECO grant would pay for this. Fran Dougherty will supply the names of 3 nurseries for getting these trees.
2. Signage on Trees

1. All thought this is a good idea to consider

3. Benches

1. A possibility to consider

3. Spotted Lantern Fly

1. The Spotted Lantern Fly has been found in New Britain Borough therefore the borough is Quarantined. This means wood cannot be taken out of the borough. It is important that we get the word out to the public of this situation. It is necessary to remove most of the Tree of Heaven trees. Just leave a few. There is a need to put into our ordinance that the Tree of Heaven should be eliminated. During inventory be aware of the Tree of Heaven and inform the public. Need to educate the public about the Spotted Lantern Fly.

4. Any Other Business

1. At Bristol Road and Butler Avenue there are hazardous trees. Fran Dougherty will inform Mrs. Levy to take care of these hazardous trees. A letter from the Shade Tree Commission will be sent to her.
2. Designation of an official arborist

1. We will look into this further

3. Bucks Beautiful

1. They want to plant daffodils in an area where they will be seen.- Possible places include portions of the PECO substation, Aqua American Installation and Covered Bridge Park.

6. Adjournment

1. There being no further business a motion was made by Lorraine Moxey to adjourn, seconded by Fran Dougherty. All agreed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:03 P.M.
2. Next Meeting will be November 20, 2017