The commission’s attention was particularly focused on the tree inventory project, which is a componet for managing the town’s urban forest. Arbor Pro’s proposal to inventory most of the town’s trees and provide the software for free for the first year was compared to Davy Treekeeper’s proposal. The commission discussed the importance of a comprehensive inventory to inform their management plan and deliberated on whether they could engage the Environmental Club at RFH to help count trees. The possibility of fundraising was mentioned as a way to fund the inventory should additional resources be required.

The tree buying program, another significant agenda item, involved discussions on creating a brochure, setting deadlines for orders, and the need for assistance with the Google order form. The commission debated at length about whether the program’s giveaway should be promoted or approached more subtly and considered incorporating it into an Arbor Day event. The unresolved aspects of the program will require further discussion in future meetings.

In terms of community outreach, the commission discussed the memorial tree program and the logistical challenges of planting trees on public property. The need for approval from authorities and the potential for complications were addressed. Moreover, the commission touched on the ecological challenges facing the town, including the problem of invasive species and the impact of deer on tree growth. Discussion on this topic included the potential for a volunteer day to help manage invasive species at Fair Haven Fields Natural Area and the need to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of ivy on trees.

This included the importance of planting oak trees, creating pollinator gardens, and the negative impact of mosquito treatments on the environment. Plans were made to disseminate the lecture materials and explore continuing education opportunities related to climate action.

Arbor Day preparations were also a focal point, with discussions on tree planting in local parks and coordinating events with the local library’s programming. Concerns were raised about the condition of trees on a property to be transferred to Habitat for Humanity, questioning the borough’s obligations in relation to the development.

The commission considered a construction project proposal that could result in tree removal and debated the importance of preserving mature trees. The possibility of donating trees to Habitat for Humanity was proposed as a means to mitigate the loss of trees due to development.

Finally, issues of enforcement and resident engagement were considered, particularly regarding the requirement for residents to plant new trees when old ones are removed. The effectiveness of the current ordinance, potential fines for non-compliance, and alternative contributions to a tree fund were debated. The commission plans to revisit these topics and discuss ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Havenfield Natural Area at the next meeting.