Conshohocken Borough

The article will include reference to the Commission’s goal of having the right tree planted in the right place.

 

c.       The Commission’s Face Book Page is being updated with current activities.

 

d.      It was reported that one of the new Borough Council candidates is working to establish a do park in the Borough. Three (3) different locations have been identified. It would be good for the Shade Tree Commission to collaborate with this group. It was agreed to list reminders of meeting on the Face Book page.

 

3.                  Volunteers/Tree Tenders: Pat Rowe introduced herself and indicated that she came to see what the Shade Tree Commission was doing. Bernadette asked if Anita could contact Pat regarding volunteer opportunities. Pat gave Bernadette her contact information.

 

4.                  Tending – Old Growth

 

a.       Commission members are in process of revising the tree inventory. The revision is approximately fifty percent (50%) complete. The following streets have been completed: the even side of West 3^rd Avenue, Old Elm Street to Light Street, Colwell Lane, Sutcliffe Lane, and Pleasant Valley Road. There are sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) blocks left to complete. The Commission will continue to use its working sessions to complete the remaining blocks.

 

b.      Bernadette reported that she, Chris and Fran Marabella met with representatives of PECO regarding their recent tree pruning. It can do or could have done to reduce some the pruning. Bernadette clearly stated that it was not the pruning method which was questioned, but the extent of the pruning in some cases. Some of the extreme pruning that was done was to older trees which had been planted long ago, and were not necessarily planted in the right place. It will be five (5) years before PECO again will prune trees in the Borough. Hopefully a plan can be devised to have less pruning done.

 

Chris agreed to send the notes on the PECO meeting to all Commission members.

 

Todd noted that PECO pruning likely will be raised at the educational meeting to be held in September along with what can be done in the future.

 

Staff still is waiting for a letter regarding the pruning from Josh Marin, Bartlett Tree Experts regarding the PECO pruning. When this information is received, it will be forwarded to the Commission.

 

PECO pruning requirements lead to a brief discussion of the trees selected by developers for planting in conjunction with land development projects. To date, developers have been required to select trees from the Commission’s recommended tree list. Staff and the Conshohocken Planning Commission need to be aware that in situations where there are overhead wires, the developers should be required to select tree species from the portion of the Commission’s list that are appropriate for planting under wires. It was agreed that this will be examined and discussed further at the Commission’s next meeting.

 

The Commissions interface with Borough Code Enforcement was raised for discussion. While working on revision of the tree inventory, a resident at 3^rd and Maple raised issues about tree replacement due to damaged sustained to two (2) trees planted as part of one of the Commission’s bare root plantings. Staff had planned to include replanting of these trees in the open space planting to be completed in the fall. However it could not be guaranteed that the same types of trees would be planted. The resident strongly was interested in have the trees replaced in kind. Commission members pointed out that this could be a dangerous precedent, if the Borough agreed to replace trees that were damaged, as the Borough has emphasized the homeowners’ responsibility for trees. It was agreed that the Commission would use its funds to secure bare root trees for this specific resident. It was noted that the cost of bare root trees from the Horticultural Society has risen to $50.00 per tree, which still is well below market prices.

 

Bernadette contacted the resident who had requested assistance with planting a tree. It was reported that the resident had received a free one (1) foot tree, which would have difficulty surviving if planted as a street tree. The resident strongly desires a street tree, and it was agreed to have her home added to the open space planting to be completed in the fall. Another location will be investigated for the small tree.

 

c.       Interface between Borough Code Enforcement and the Commission: Ted Dale, the Borough’s Code Enforcement Officer responsible for tree issues was present for discussion regarding appropriate interface between the Commission and Code Enforcement. Contact between Code Enforcement and the Commission can be maintained through the Commission’s internet address:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Ted reported that last year he sent letters to residents requiring them to trim their street trees in July. This year, he is sending such letters by Ward, based on driving through the Ward and identifying trees which need to be trimmed. Trees must be trimmed to between nine (9) and thirteen (13) feet above the street. There also are site line issues related to stop signs. Ted noted that there were many residents worried about trimming younger trees. It was noted that younger trees are tougher than they look. Liz Stephens suggested that Ted be given a supply of the ISA brochures regarding pruning and maintenance of trees. These brochures can be passed along to residents.

 

Ted also reported that PECO pruning by Asplundh of a tree on 3^rd Avenue has resulted in the tree needing to be taken down. Trees on the north side of West Elm Street near Corson Street have mangled the curbs. With regard to trees pushing up sidewalks and damaging curbs, it often would make sense to remove the tree. There have been instances of contractors damaging trees in conjunction with replacing sidewalks and curbs. Bernadette described methods for trimming roots which will preserve the trees but noted that this is a more expensive method. 

 

The Commission agreed to develop a list of options for residents with regard to pruning, root trimming and sidewalk and curb replacement. Ted will review this list with John McGrath, Director of Code Enforcement, to determine what options would be acceptable. It was agreed that there is no single answer to these issues.

 

With regard to requiring permits, Ted noted it is difficult to enforce requiring individual to get a permit. He does not require a homeowner to get a permit for pruning, if the homeowner is doing the pruning. It was stated that the purpose of requiring a permit is to know what is going on and what types of trees are being planted.

 

5.                  Fall Open Space Planting: Question was raised regarding the fall open space planting as to what types of trees were to be planted and where. It was reported that trees were selected for planting with which the Borough had not had problems in the past. The selections were forwarded to the Commission for review, and larger species were added to the list for areas with no overhead wires. The avenues selected for planting were based on identifying streets with few trees. Lists have been maintained of individuals not wanting trees and wanting trees. 

 

Before actual planting is scheduled to begin, Paul Hughes of Remington, Vernick and Beach Engineers will go with a representative of All Seasons Landscaping to mark out where trees will be planted and the type of tree. It was suggested that a member of the Commission accompany Paul and All Seasons to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place. Chris agreed to discuss this will Paul Hughes to see that arrangements are made.

 

6.                  Tree Ordinance Revision: It was again reported that only Borough Council can direct the Borough Solicitor to revise or re-write an ordinance. The Commission requested that Fran Marabella be asked to put the revision of the Shade Tree Ordinance on the agenda for Borough Council consideration.

 

7.                  Gator Bag Collection: It was noted that some of the gator bags from the last open space planting have not been collected. The request the Public Works staff pick up the bags was forwarded to the Superintendent of Public Works. Chris agreed to follow up on the status of gator bag collection.

 

8.                  Mid-Year Budget Update: Chris reported that because the Commission had not spent a great deal during the first half of 2011, she made no mid-year changes to the budget.

 

9.                  Municipal Tree Replacement Program: During the meeting with PECO staff, a program paying for the replacement of municipal trees was mentioned. PECO had agreed to send the Borough information on this program, and to date no information has been received. Bernadette stated she would be sending a thank you letter to PECO for meeting with the Borough and would mention this program and ask again for the information.

 

10.              Mary Wood Park Pruning Project: Because Mike Greinke was not present, there was no report on the possibility of the Commission pruning the crab apple trees along the walkways in Mary Wood Park. Liz noted that there should be a press release on this project when it is ready to proceed.

 

11.              September Public Information Program: Final arrangements for the fall educational program will be discussed at the August Commission meeting.

 

12.              August Meetings: The August working session scheduled for 8/1/11 will work on the inventory. Commission members will meet at 5:30 p.m. The regular Commission meeting will be held on 8/15/11, but will start at 6:00 p.m. Chris will re-advertise the meeting with the earlier time. She thanked the Commission for accommodating her schedule and the meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.