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Clinton Shade Tree Commission approves minutes, weighs responsibility for fallen trees and schedules maintenance tasks
Summary
At its June 18, 2026 meeting, the Town of Clinton Shade Tree Commission approved May minutes and discussed who is responsible for fallen trees, delays to the 2026 tree inventory, pruning and watering plans, and treatment needs for ash trees in the park.
The Town of Clinton Shade Tree Commission met via Zoom on June 18, 2026, approved its May 2026 minutes and discussed responsibility for fallen trees, delays to the 2026 tree inventory, pruning and watering logistics, and treatment needs for ash trees in the park.
The minutes note that several trees have fallen in the knolls and that the commission needs clear expectations about who is responsible for removal or repair. The record states that Rich Phelan is reviewing the language in the ordinance that would clarify that responsibility.
Commission members also identified specific tree-health concerns: a newly planted redbud on Spruce Run Road may have lost its top after contact with a fallen tree, and a tree at 37 Main St. was flagged for a health check. The commission recorded that low branches and suckers on the Main Street cherry trees and in front of the Clinton House need pruning; according to the minutes, Denise Birmingham and Norma Kania agreed to perform that pruning soon.
On inventory and larger maintenance work, the minutes state that ArborPro is very busy and has not yet scheduled Clinton’s 2026 tree inventory, which the commission said needs to be completed within this calendar year. Takedowns for 2026 were recorded as none so far.
The commission described watering arrangements: watering bags are set up and the plan is to use the town truck to assist watering when Janice is available; the minutes do not specify a timetable or who schedules Janice.
The record also notes that Rich Phelan updated the town website to make Shade Tree Commission materials easier to find and discussed adding a web form to request future shade trees, using Cranford’s Shade Tree Commission site as a model.
Commission member Jonathan Wall said the ash trees in the park need treatment this year; the minutes do not specify what treatment or a schedule for action.
The commission set its next meeting for Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM and adjourned. The minutes record decisions and assignments (pruning by Denise and Norma) but do not list motions, movers, seconders, or vote tallies for the items beyond noting approval of the May minutes.
