Shade Tree Commission finalizes tree-event plans, discusses Tree City USA application and city tree removals

At its meeting, the Narberth Shade Tree Commission hashed out logistics for an approaching tree-event and open-house, agreed to recruit volunteers and finalize refreshments, and discussed administrative responsibility for a Tree City USA application and concerns about proposed municipal tree removals.

Commission members spent a large portion of the meeting on Item 4 planning: they decided demonstration pruning will be minimal and educational, set a likely 10 a.m. arrival with a 9:45 a.m. volunteer setup, asked that a banner and sign-up clipboard be available, and confirmed a modest $100 budget for food. Committee members agreed to solicit recent volunteers by email and to provide a simple sign-up form differentiating volunteers from tree recipients (trees were limited to property owners). One member volunteered to draft the sign-up.

On funding and recognition, commissioners discussed Tree City USA requirements (the program asks municipalities to document roughly $2 per resident in tree-related expenditures or matching activities). Commissioner S2 said the application permits a wide range of eligible items (volunteer time, inventories, public education and staff time). Several members said borough staff historically compiled detailed budget numbers for the borough application; the commission resolved to ask borough staff (via Maggie or the public-works contact) to confirm whether they will prepare the submission or whether the commission must provide additional documentation.

The commission raised a separate concern after attending an infrastructure committee meeting where borough staff reportedly proposed removing several white pines and some trees around the war memorial. Members said they were unclear whether the proposed removals were part of a park redesign or separate maintenance work and agreed to request maps and documentation (tree pits, utilities, rights-of-way) from borough staff so the Shade Tree Commission can provide informed comment. Chair (S6) noted that the commission's enabling ordinance gives it some authority over trees in rights-of-way and public property and asked members who attend infrastructure meetings to request plans be included in minutes so the commission can act formally.

The commission also confirmed two Magnolia virginiana saplings will be procured and arranged for distribution and transport to a central staging location before planting. The meeting concluded with usual housekeeping, an action to draft the volunteer email and sign-up, and a motion to adjourn.

Next steps: the commission will (1) circulate a volunteer outreach email and sign-up form, (2) request detailed maps and cost/accounting information from borough staff for Tree City USA purposes, and (3) follow up with the infrastructure committee if tree removals near public amenities proceed without advance notice.