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Merchantville Shade Tree Commission approves minutes, authorizes several residential tree removals
Summary
At its Jan. 16 meeting the Merchantville Shade Tree Commission approved the December minutes and authorized homeowner and DPW-handled removals for several hazardous street trees, tying replacements to borough ordinance requirements.
The Merchantville Shade Tree Commission on Jan. 16 approved its December minutes and authorized the removal of multiple hazardous street trees after reviewing homeowner reports and an arborist inspection.
Commission member Ray Woods moved to approve the December minutes; Alexis Degan seconded the motion and all commissioners present voted in favor. The meeting record names Alice Diamond, Alexis Degan, John Feldan, Lynn Geddes and Ray Woods as attending; John Feldan recorded the minutes.
Commission members placed two large oaks on the removal list after residents reported deterioration. A resident identified as Jane at 137 Morris Street said oak #1636 is deteriorating; Lynn Geddes, a commission member, inspected the tree and confirmed the condition and told the homeowner the tree may be removed sooner without going through the commission’s approval process if the homeowner prefers. Jen Edwards at 148 W. Cedar Avenue reported oak #1449 as nearing the end of its life; Geddes inspected that tree as well and placed it on the removal list.
The commission agreed that, under the borough ordinance, homeowners who remove trees may be required to replace them; if a homeowner does not arrange replacement, the commission will have the Department of Public Works contract the work and will seek a donation to fund the replacement. That replacement policy was cited after the commission approved removal for a tree at 40 W. Cedar Avenue reported by resident Marc Carcanague to have damaged his sewer connection; the commission authorized removal and decided to collect a donation to pay for the replacement required by borough ordinance. The commission also approved a DPW-relayed request from the resident at 48 Chapel Avenue to remove and replace a tree at the resident’s expense.
Commission members advised private-property homeowners that they may prune trees on their property without MSTC approval. In one such instance, Geddes inspected a sycamore at 215 Saint James Avenue and told resident Christy she could trim branches without commission approval and recommended hiring an arborist.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
