Franklin Lakes October 7, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 New ordinance will expand shade tree commission by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council has adopted an ordinance to expand the shade tree commission from five to seven regular members who, along with two alternate members, will be appointed by the mayor. All commission members must be borough residents and serve without compensation. The shade tree commission regulates the planting, care, and control of shade and ornamental trees and shrubs planted along borough streets and highways, and in the municipality’s public places, parks, and parkways. The commission’s authority does not extend to state and county highways, parks, and parkways, unless the state’s highway department and/or the Bergen County Shade Tree Commission provide their consent. The borough’s current shade tree commission consists of Chairman Michael Tulp; Secretary Gina Venner; commissioners Mary Costigan, Marion Mahn, William Pauwels, and alternate commissioner Joe Conti. Kris Hasbrouck is a certified forester who is the director of the shade tree commission and the borough council liaisons to the commission are Paulette Ramsey and Leslie Greer. The commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the municipal building on DeKorte Drive. In its 2009 mission statement, the commission states that it views the shade trees and forest resources of the borough as important community resources and viable assets and those trees make a major contribution to the beauty and quality of life in Franklin Lakes, providing inestimable benefits to its residents and the environment, including beauty, shade, flood control, erosion control, air pollution control, cooler air temperatures, havens for wildlife, and increased property values. The mission statement also points out that approximately 95.6 percent of the borough’s developable land has been built upon, and it is the goal of the shade tree commission to preserve, protect, and enhance the existing shade trees and forest resources, through advocacy of the borough’s shade tree ordinances, education for greater community awareness, and through replanting and maintenance tree projects. All appointments to the commission, except to fill vacancies, are for five years and are effective on Jan. 1. Alternates also serve for a period of five years beginning on the first of the year. The alternate members may participate in all of the commission’s activities, but may not vote unless one of the regular members is absent. The commission controls the trimming, spraying, care, and protection of shade and ornamental trees. The group also regulates and controls the use of the ground surrounding those trees as may be necessary for their proper growth, care, and protection, and may move or require the removal of any tree or part of any tree that may be dangerous to public safety. The commission can also administer treatment to, or remove, any tree situated on private property if that tree is believed to harbor a disease or insects that could readily spread to neighboring healthy trees in the care of the municipality. The commission may enter onto private property for that purpose with the consent of the property owner, provided the suspected condition is confirmed (continued on page 12) ������������������� ��������������� � ��������������� � � ���������������� ����������������������������� ����������������� HEALTH MIND and BODY Private Lesson, Self Defense, Family Class Disipline • Concentration Respect • Confidence Healthier Life • Weight Control Strength • Inner Peace For Children: For Adults: ������������ ����������������������� ��������������������� 854 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 • htaekwondo8585@gmail.com 9-30-09 pat/janine HTaeKwonDo3x3(9-30-09) 3 x 3”