First Morristown Shade Tree Meeting Tuesday

The Morristown Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing a Shade Tree Commission at its February meeting.

Residents Tina Wahlstrom, Margaret Brady and Louise Witt all said such a commission would help the town recover trees lost in Hurricane Irene, the snowstorm of October 2012 and Hurricane Sandy.

"Our trees have been impacted by severe weather," Wahlstrom said. "I want to thank the administration and the council for establishing this Shade Tree Commission."

The Morristown Shade Tree Commission will hold its first meeting on April 16 at 7 p.m. at Morristown Town Hall in room 201. The meeting is open to the public. The Morristown Shade Tree Commission will meet monthly thereafter, said Kristen E. Wedderburn from Morristown's office of the Mayor and Administration.

Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman said she hoped the commission would help "repair the urban canopy" enjoyed by so many.

The newly established Morristown Shade Tree Commission will consist of 5-7 voting members and as many as two alternates.  The members must be residents of Morristown and are appointed by the mayor. It is a volunteer commission, according to the town's website.

The Shade Tree Commission was established to ensure the appropriate management of the Morristown community forest.  It has responsibility for the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery located on public property. 

The Commission will assist the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board and/or Building Department in an advisory capacity when applications involve the preservation and inventory of trees within the Town. 

Critical objectives for the Shade Tree Commission are implementation of the Morristown Community Forestry Management Plan and attaining approval status for the town with NJ Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act. 

Implementation of the Forestry Management Plan will include:

• tree planting;
• tree maintenance;
• tree care disaster planning;
• tree hazard management;
• public education, awareness and outreach.