Community Forestry Management Plan
Community Forestry Management Plan 2013-2017
Mayor and Council Joseph DeSalvo, Mayor Kim Birdsall, Council President
Dave Porter
George Fecanin
Michael Sartori
John Parnofiello
Jack Boyle
Corey Gallo, Borough Administrator Chris Seidler, Department of Public Works
Rutherford Shade Tree Committee Steve Savitsky, Chair
Michael Schmeding
John Miceli
Sharon DelVecchio
Greg Goumas
Catrina Poindexter
Carol Hsu
Richard Roberts
Michael Sartori, Council Liaison Prepared by: Ronald Farr Certified Forester # 1554 and New Jersey Approved Forester 6 Ricker Road Newfoundland, NJ 07435 973-208-8165 [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS MUNICIPAL INFORMATION MUNICIPAL INFORMATION FORM………………………………………………………….
4
INTRODUCTION SCOPE…………………………………………………………………………………………… MISSION STATEMENT………………………………………………………………………... OVERALL PROGRAM GOALS……………………………………………………………….. HAZARDS AND LIBABILITY…………………………………………………………………
5 5 6 6
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW THE BOROUGH OF RUTHERFORD…………..………………………………………………. RUTHERFORD FUTURE..................…………………………………………………………... SHADE TREE ORDINANCE.................……………………………………………………….. RELATION TO THE MASTER PLAN….……………………………………………………....
8 9 10 11
MAPS BOROUGH STREET MAP……………………………………………………………………..
12
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SHADE TREE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION……………………………………………..
13
ANNUAL BUDGET AND RESOURCES OVERVIEW……………………………………………………………………………………..
16
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ……….………………………………
17
SHADE TREE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHMENT ORDINANCE REVIEW AND ADOPTION…………………………………………………….
18
PUBLIC EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND OUTREACH PUBLIC EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND OUTREACH GOALS………………………….
19
ARBOR DAY ARBOR DAY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………
21
TREE INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.………………………….
21
HAZARD TREE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT HAZARD MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………….. 21 STORM DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STORM DAMAGE ASSESSMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………….
22
TREE MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES...…………………………
22
2
INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………...
23
WILDIFRE PROTECTION WILDFIRE PROTECTION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………….
23
TREE PLANTING TREE PLANTING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………..
24
TREE RECYCLING RECYCLING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES..………………………………………………….
25
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES………………………………..
25
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………
26
OTHER GOALS OTHER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………………
26
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………………………………..
27
SUMMARY OF 2013-2017 OBJECTIVES IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE…………………………………………………………...
27
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAMS COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM FUNDING……………………..
32
APPENDIX
3
1.
Municipal Information
MUNICIPAL/COUNTY INFORMATION FORM Municipality
Borough of Rutherford
County
Bergen County
Address
176 Park Avenue Rutherford, NJ 07070
Contact Name and Title Chris Seidler, Department of Public Works Superintendent / Steve Savitsky, Shade Tree Committee Chair Phone Number
201-460-3038
Fax # and E-mail
201-438-8216
Organization Name
Borough of Rutherford Department of Public Works
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mayor’s Signature _____________________________________________________________________ I certify that this Community Forestry Management Plan was developed specifically and exclusively for our municipality.
Date of Management Plan Submission
February 2013
Time Period Covered In Management Plan
2013-2017
Community Stewardship Incentive Program (CSIP) Identified in Management Plan
Official Use Only Certification
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
CSIP# 1 Training CSIP# 2 Community Forestry Ordinance Establishment CSIP# 3 Public Education and Awareness CSIP# 4 Arbor Day Activities CSIP# 5 Tree Inventory CSIP# 6 Hazard Tree Assessment CSIP# 7 Storm Damage Assessment CSIP# 8 Tree Maintenance and Removals CSIP# 9 Insect and Disease Management CSIP# 10 Wildfire Protection CSIP# 11 Tree Planting CSIP# 12 Tree Recycling CSIP# 13 Sidewalk Maintenance Program CSIP# 14 Storm Water Management CSIP# 15 Other
The above named municipality/county has made formal application to the New Jersey Forest Service. I am pleased to advise you that after our review, the NJ Forest Service has concluded that this plan meets the standards set forth by the State and the NJ Community Forestry Council and is approved for the period covered. Signed __________________________________________________ State Forester
Approval Date
4
2.
Introduction A. Scope
The Borough of Rutherford applied for and received a 2012 Green Communities Grant to finance the development of this second five year plan. The Borough of Rutherford Community Forestry Plan is being developed by the Rutherford Shade Tree Committee and is designed to build upon the successes over the five years since the first plan was developed. The Shade Tree Committee has been extremely active and has met or exceeded many of the goals laid out in the first Community Forestry Plan.
The community forest resource is an important resource that contributes to the quality of life for the residents of the Borough of Rutherford. This community forest resource works to improve air and water quality, reduce energy costs, increase property values, increase economic stability, improve citizen health and beautify the borough. The current forest resources was planted by previous residents and must be maintained and improved by current residents for the future.
B. Mission Statement: To preserve and protect the historic trees of Rutherford, through advocacy, education and public awareness, and to maintain and enhance the forest cover of our Borough of Trees. Over the last one hundred and fifty years the residents of our Borough planted and nurtured a remarkably large and diverse forest, which is now in our care. This forest cover forms a fragile green oasis in an increasingly urbanized landscape and is the reason that Rutherford is known as The Borough of Trees. Our trees are a major contributor to the beauty and quality of life in Rutherford, providing inestimable benefits to its residents. These benefits include beauty, shade, flood control, air pollution control, haven for wildlife, and increased property values. The Rutherford Shade Tree Committee is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing this invaluable forest asset through proper care, protection, replanting, and educational programs, preserving for all the wonderful benefits that flow from our trees.
5
C. Program Goals: The New Jersey Community Forestry Council has identified fifteen Community Stewardship Incentive Program (CSIP) practices that together compromise a complete and comprehensive community forestry program that continues to build on the successes of the last five years.
Within each of the plan elements that follow, existing Borough programs, policies and procedures are described, intermediate end element-specific goals are established, and five-year CSIP-based objectives are set.
Specific goals laid out by the Rutherford Shade Tree Committee are listed below: 1. To continue to promote general tree awareness and stewardship among residents of the Borough of Rutherford. 2. To improve the Community Forest Resource in the Borough of Rutherford. 3. To improve the health and safety of the community forest. 4. To maintain Tree City USA status throughout the planning period. 5. Improve and maintain public interest, appreciation and support for public shade tree programs and encourage volunteer participation. 6. Encourage the planting and proper care of trees on private property. 7. Meet all eligibility requirements of the NJ Shade Tree & Community Forestry Assistance Act.
D. Liability Statement Although street trees are an asset to the Borough of Rutherford, it is inevitable that they mature and require care, maintenance and eventual replacement. If the forest resource is recognized as green infrastructure, this cycle of preventative maintenance and care and replacement will be more clearly understood. Care and maintenance as well as planting the right tree in the right place cannot be underestimated at reducing future conflicts and potential hazards to public safety and optimizing the positive environmental and economic benefits provided to the community by the community forest.
The Borough of Rutherford must work within a reasonable budget that may not be able to meet each and every need of the community immediately. Therefore the intent of this plan is to focus available
6
resources on the greatest need and prioritize steps to be taken towards a healthy forest commensurate with reducing risks to public safety.
We feel, by taking logical steps outlined in the Community Forestry Plan, we will garner public support for plan implementation and demonstrate the long term benefits to the environment and public safety.
We also want to become more pro-active in the management and care of trees. Through thorough inventory and hazard assessment, we will position our Rutherford Shade Tree Committee to take corrective action, where possible, and within the borough’s budgetary constraints, prior to structural tree failure and other hazardous tree related conditions. It is acknowledged that not all hazardous conditions will be predicted. It is much like predicting when the next drought will occur. Good planning, maintenance and care will reduce the probability of negative effects but unexpected events may still occur.
Following this Community Management Plan will demonstrate that the Borough of Rutherford is devoting reasonable levels of resources in a planned manner to reduce the number and severity of tree related accidents and thereby reduce its exposure to liabilities and increase public safety.
7
3. Community Overview 3a. Rutherford Present The Borough of Rutherford is a suburban community covering approximately 2.81 square miles in southern Bergen County. Rutherford has a population of 18,110 residents based on 2000 Census data. This equals 6,451.68 residents per square mile.
The average age of Rutherford residents is 39.29. Age distribution is 17.2%
Mayor and Council Joseph DeSalvo, Mayor Kim Birdsall, Council President
Dave Porter
George Fecanin
Michael Sartori
John Parnofiello
Jack Boyle
Corey Gallo, Borough Administrator Chris Seidler, Department of Public Works
Rutherford Shade Tree Committee Steve Savitsky, Chair
Michael Schmeding
John Miceli
Sharon DelVecchio
Greg Goumas
Catrina Poindexter
Carol Hsu
Richard Roberts
Michael Sartori, Council Liaison Prepared by: Ronald Farr Certified Forester # 1554 and New Jersey Approved Forester 6 Ricker Road Newfoundland, NJ 07435 973-208-8165 [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS MUNICIPAL INFORMATION MUNICIPAL INFORMATION FORM………………………………………………………….
4
INTRODUCTION SCOPE…………………………………………………………………………………………… MISSION STATEMENT………………………………………………………………………... OVERALL PROGRAM GOALS……………………………………………………………….. HAZARDS AND LIBABILITY…………………………………………………………………
5 5 6 6
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW THE BOROUGH OF RUTHERFORD…………..………………………………………………. RUTHERFORD FUTURE..................…………………………………………………………... SHADE TREE ORDINANCE.................……………………………………………………….. RELATION TO THE MASTER PLAN….……………………………………………………....
8 9 10 11
MAPS BOROUGH STREET MAP……………………………………………………………………..
12
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SHADE TREE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION……………………………………………..
13
ANNUAL BUDGET AND RESOURCES OVERVIEW……………………………………………………………………………………..
16
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ……….………………………………
17
SHADE TREE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHMENT ORDINANCE REVIEW AND ADOPTION…………………………………………………….
18
PUBLIC EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND OUTREACH PUBLIC EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND OUTREACH GOALS………………………….
19
ARBOR DAY ARBOR DAY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………
21
TREE INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.………………………….
21
HAZARD TREE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT HAZARD MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………….. 21 STORM DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STORM DAMAGE ASSESSMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………….
22
TREE MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES...…………………………
22
2
INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT INSECT AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………...
23
WILDIFRE PROTECTION WILDFIRE PROTECTION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………….
23
TREE PLANTING TREE PLANTING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………..
24
TREE RECYCLING RECYCLING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES..………………………………………………….
25
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES………………………………..
25
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………
26
OTHER GOALS OTHER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………………
26
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………………………………..
27
SUMMARY OF 2013-2017 OBJECTIVES IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE…………………………………………………………...
27
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAMS COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM FUNDING……………………..
32
APPENDIX
3
1.
Municipal Information
MUNICIPAL/COUNTY INFORMATION FORM Municipality
Borough of Rutherford
County
Bergen County
Address
176 Park Avenue Rutherford, NJ 07070
Contact Name and Title Chris Seidler, Department of Public Works Superintendent / Steve Savitsky, Shade Tree Committee Chair Phone Number
201-460-3038
Fax # and E-mail
201-438-8216
Organization Name
Borough of Rutherford Department of Public Works
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mayor’s Signature _____________________________________________________________________ I certify that this Community Forestry Management Plan was developed specifically and exclusively for our municipality.
Date of Management Plan Submission
February 2013
Time Period Covered In Management Plan
2013-2017
Community Stewardship Incentive Program (CSIP) Identified in Management Plan
Official Use Only Certification
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
CSIP# 1 Training CSIP# 2 Community Forestry Ordinance Establishment CSIP# 3 Public Education and Awareness CSIP# 4 Arbor Day Activities CSIP# 5 Tree Inventory CSIP# 6 Hazard Tree Assessment CSIP# 7 Storm Damage Assessment CSIP# 8 Tree Maintenance and Removals CSIP# 9 Insect and Disease Management CSIP# 10 Wildfire Protection CSIP# 11 Tree Planting CSIP# 12 Tree Recycling CSIP# 13 Sidewalk Maintenance Program CSIP# 14 Storm Water Management CSIP# 15 Other
The above named municipality/county has made formal application to the New Jersey Forest Service. I am pleased to advise you that after our review, the NJ Forest Service has concluded that this plan meets the standards set forth by the State and the NJ Community Forestry Council and is approved for the period covered. Signed __________________________________________________ State Forester
Approval Date
4
2.
Introduction A. Scope
The Borough of Rutherford applied for and received a 2012 Green Communities Grant to finance the development of this second five year plan. The Borough of Rutherford Community Forestry Plan is being developed by the Rutherford Shade Tree Committee and is designed to build upon the successes over the five years since the first plan was developed. The Shade Tree Committee has been extremely active and has met or exceeded many of the goals laid out in the first Community Forestry Plan.
The community forest resource is an important resource that contributes to the quality of life for the residents of the Borough of Rutherford. This community forest resource works to improve air and water quality, reduce energy costs, increase property values, increase economic stability, improve citizen health and beautify the borough. The current forest resources was planted by previous residents and must be maintained and improved by current residents for the future.
B. Mission Statement: To preserve and protect the historic trees of Rutherford, through advocacy, education and public awareness, and to maintain and enhance the forest cover of our Borough of Trees. Over the last one hundred and fifty years the residents of our Borough planted and nurtured a remarkably large and diverse forest, which is now in our care. This forest cover forms a fragile green oasis in an increasingly urbanized landscape and is the reason that Rutherford is known as The Borough of Trees. Our trees are a major contributor to the beauty and quality of life in Rutherford, providing inestimable benefits to its residents. These benefits include beauty, shade, flood control, air pollution control, haven for wildlife, and increased property values. The Rutherford Shade Tree Committee is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing this invaluable forest asset through proper care, protection, replanting, and educational programs, preserving for all the wonderful benefits that flow from our trees.
5
C. Program Goals: The New Jersey Community Forestry Council has identified fifteen Community Stewardship Incentive Program (CSIP) practices that together compromise a complete and comprehensive community forestry program that continues to build on the successes of the last five years.
Within each of the plan elements that follow, existing Borough programs, policies and procedures are described, intermediate end element-specific goals are established, and five-year CSIP-based objectives are set.
Specific goals laid out by the Rutherford Shade Tree Committee are listed below: 1. To continue to promote general tree awareness and stewardship among residents of the Borough of Rutherford. 2. To improve the Community Forest Resource in the Borough of Rutherford. 3. To improve the health and safety of the community forest. 4. To maintain Tree City USA status throughout the planning period. 5. Improve and maintain public interest, appreciation and support for public shade tree programs and encourage volunteer participation. 6. Encourage the planting and proper care of trees on private property. 7. Meet all eligibility requirements of the NJ Shade Tree & Community Forestry Assistance Act.
D. Liability Statement Although street trees are an asset to the Borough of Rutherford, it is inevitable that they mature and require care, maintenance and eventual replacement. If the forest resource is recognized as green infrastructure, this cycle of preventative maintenance and care and replacement will be more clearly understood. Care and maintenance as well as planting the right tree in the right place cannot be underestimated at reducing future conflicts and potential hazards to public safety and optimizing the positive environmental and economic benefits provided to the community by the community forest.
The Borough of Rutherford must work within a reasonable budget that may not be able to meet each and every need of the community immediately. Therefore the intent of this plan is to focus available
6
resources on the greatest need and prioritize steps to be taken towards a healthy forest commensurate with reducing risks to public safety.
We feel, by taking logical steps outlined in the Community Forestry Plan, we will garner public support for plan implementation and demonstrate the long term benefits to the environment and public safety.
We also want to become more pro-active in the management and care of trees. Through thorough inventory and hazard assessment, we will position our Rutherford Shade Tree Committee to take corrective action, where possible, and within the borough’s budgetary constraints, prior to structural tree failure and other hazardous tree related conditions. It is acknowledged that not all hazardous conditions will be predicted. It is much like predicting when the next drought will occur. Good planning, maintenance and care will reduce the probability of negative effects but unexpected events may still occur.
Following this Community Management Plan will demonstrate that the Borough of Rutherford is devoting reasonable levels of resources in a planned manner to reduce the number and severity of tree related accidents and thereby reduce its exposure to liabilities and increase public safety.
7
3. Community Overview 3a. Rutherford Present The Borough of Rutherford is a suburban community covering approximately 2.81 square miles in southern Bergen County. Rutherford has a population of 18,110 residents based on 2000 Census data. This equals 6,451.68 residents per square mile.
The average age of Rutherford residents is 39.29. Age distribution is 17.2%
