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Resident urges action on invasive Bradford Pears; council reviews Green Acres fencing, events and a memorial garden request
Summary
A Woodstown resident asked council to pursue removal and replacement of Bradford Pear trees; Council discussed Green Acres fence issues, reviewed upcoming community events including a shred event and Salem County Film & Arts Festival, and agreed Public Works will meet with a requester about a private memorial garden at Memorial Lake.
At the start of the April 14 meeting resident Jenn Herrmann thanked council for addressing deteriorating sidewalks on Main Street and urged officials to consider replacing Bradford Pear trees in the borough, describing the species as invasive and noting it is currently banned in New Jersey. Mayor Joseph Hiles suggested researching the species and adding information to the borough newsletter; Council President Glenn Merkle recommended referring the issue to the Joint Environmental Commission, which meets May 14, 2026.
Council also discussed maintenance and security issues at the Green Acres property on Alloway Road; Public Works Supervisor James Farro and Chief DeFalco will investigate fence remedies and report back.
Deputy Clerk Erin Maurer reminded council that edits for the Summer 2026 borough newsletter are due April 23 and announced a Shred Event on April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon behind Borough Hall. The Seed Swap will take place April 25 at the Friends Meeting House and the Salem County Film & Arts Festival is scheduled April 25 in the downtown area centered at the borough parking lot entrance between Blue Moon Theatre and Farmers and Bankers Brewery. The WPRSD Juneteenth event has been rescheduled to June 3, 2026.
A request to build a private memorial garden at Memorial Lake was submitted; Public Works Supervisor Farro will meet with the requester to determine location, planting and maintenance requirements and will report back to council for a later decision.
