Fair Haven Shade Tree Commission Debates Crucial Tree Protection Ordinance Amidst Resident Concerns

The Fair Haven Shade Tree Commission held a meeting on August 7, 2024, to discuss several issues, prominently focusing on the advancement of a proposed tree protection ordinance which has stirred debate and resident concerns. The ordinance aims to regulate tree removal and replacement, balancing environmental preservation with property rights, and ensuring the community’s tree canopy remains intact amidst ongoing urban development.

The proposed tree protection ordinance has become a focal point of contention within the commission. The ordinance outlines procedures for tree removal, criteria for classifying hazardous trees, and mandates for tree replacement or fees in lieu of replacement.

Concerns were raised about the qualifications of commission members to draft the legislation without legal review, despite the model ordinance being compliant with New Jersey law. A member stated, “I don’t want the attorney to look at it until we hash out the politics… that’s just spending money, wasting money,” indicating a preference to resolve political disagreements before incurring legal costs.

The discussion revealed a split perspective on balancing environmental preservation and property rights. Some residents have voiced frustration over the perceived burdens imposed by the ordinance, exemplified by the comment, “what do you mean I have to pay to cut down my own trees?” This highlights the challenge the commission faces in crafting a policy that satisfies both environmental goals and the practical concerns of property owners.

The commission also deliberated on adding a stronger introduction to the ordinance, emphasizing tree preservation. One member suggested, “I just think it really should be a tree preservation that should definitely be like a lead,” advocating for the ordinance to reflect a clear commitment to protecting trees. A member noted, “I don’t love it, but yeah, I’m okay with it,” capturing the collective sentiment of the group.

Beyond the ordinance, the meeting addressed updates on the Fall Resident Tree Buying Program, set to commence on August 19 and conclude on September 13. This year’s program features a selection of shade and flowering trees, with adjustments made to the order form requiring residents to acknowledge their responsibility for marking their sprinkler systems before planting. This change aims to prevent issues arising from unmarked sprinkler systems during tree planting.

The commission also discussed potential tree planting locations, including areas off Marter and Hendrickson, and a new project along the Third Street Trail. Proposed planting sites included Martyr Park, near the school, where trees would provide shade for parents waiting during school hours. The commission considered various species for planting, such as Elms and Coffee Trees, emphasizing the importance of species diversity to mitigate disease risks. A decision was made to approve the planting of four trees in Martyr Park, contingent on a site assessment by a tree expert.

Another topic was the ongoing tree inventory, which as of the meeting had accounted for 2,100 trees, with a goal of reaching 2,600 trees. The inventory process has divided the town into priority zones for a comprehensive assessment of tree health and distribution. Concerns about invasive species, such as the Tree of Heaven associated with lantern fly infestations, were also discussed. The commission considered seeking grants to address invasive species, as the town’s budget may not suffice.

The meeting included updates on a CME tree report concerning 21 Fair Haven Road, highlighting the presence of dead or dying trees and recommendations for their removal. The property may be designated as a passive park in the future, but its current disrepair raised concerns about soil stability and erosion risks if trees are clear-cut. The commission agreed that if trees were to be removed, it should be done selectively to avoid destabilizing the hill.

Lastly, the commission discussed the enforcement of the ordinance, particularly regarding the criteria for determining hazardous trees. The authority of the town’s licensed tree expert, Sherry, was emphasized, with concerns about potential conflicts of interest from tree removal companies. The commission agreed that the licensed tree expert should have the final say in determining hazardous trees to ensure objective assessments.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Josh Halpern
Shade Tree Commission Officials:

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording