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Shade Tree Advisory Committee

ABOUT US

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee consists of seven members appointed by the Lawrence Township Council. All of the members serve as volunteers.

Our Mission

We advise Planning & Zoning Boards on applications for site plan and subdivisions regarding standards, types and planting specifications for shade trees. We recommend to Township Council programs of shade tree improvement, planting and replacement along public rights-of-way. See our latest brochure.

Programs

  • Arbor Day Celebration
  • Memorial Tree Program
  • Tree City USA

Members & Liaisons

Current Members:

  • Carmine DiSanzo, Chair 12/31/12
  • Edward S. Sproles, Vice Chair 12/31/11
  • Judy Bubar 12/31/12
  • Rosemarie Clark 12/31/10
  • Alvin Geser 12/31/12
  • Doris M. Weisberg 12/31/12
  • Janet Kane 12/31/13

Current Liaisons:

  • Councilman Michael S. Powers, Township Council Liaison
  • Andrew Link, Township Staff Liaison

Check Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Generally, the Committee meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Engineering Conference Room in the Municipal Building.

Projects & Activities

The Shade Tree Adivsory Committee participated in the Lawrence Township annual community day on October 2. The photo pictures the Shade Tree Advisory Committee’s display with members drawing the winner’s name for a bonsai tree. Pictured left to right are Councilman Michael S. Powers, Shade Tree Advisory Committee Chairman Carmine Di Sanzo, Shade Tree Advisory Committee member Janet Kane, and Shade Tree Advisory Committee Vice- Chairman Edward S.Sproles. The winner of the bonsai tree was Tom Birkbeck.

Year 2010 Report by Chairman Carmine DiSanzo

During the year 2010, the Shade Tree Advisory Committee conducted the following activities:

  • Reviewed fourteen site plans and made recommendations to the planning and zoning boards on tree planting.
  • Mr. Andy Link and Carmine DiSanzo attended the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation meeting in Cherry Hill in October 2010 satisfying the continuing education requirements for Approved Status under the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Act. Approved Status made the Township eligible to apply for a Business Stimulus grant to do a maintenance pruning in Veteran's Park. The Township was recertified as Tree City for the fourteenth year.
  • The committee participated in Community Day and distributed literature and also, for the third year, raffled a bonsai plant to attract the attention of community and distributed a brochure describing the activities and functions of the Committee and emphasizing the value of trees. The brochure was posted on the Township web site and published in the Lawrence Ledger. The Committee realized that participation on Community Day was a positive event. The Committee will continue to employ new ways to attract and to engage community participation.
  • The Committee participated in the Earth Day celebration at the Nature Center and distributed 100 white pine seedlings to attendees.
  • The Committee celebrated Arbor Day at the Heritage Park by planting a River Birch tree. Several Blue Spruce trees were planted behind the Police & Courts building, a replacement tree was planted on Fairfield Avenue and a memorial tree, a Sunset Maple, was planted in Village Park.
  • The street tree inventory has still not been reinstated for the fifth year, because of lack of funds. The Committee has suggested identifying sites to be used for memorial trees and to assess fines for illegal cutting of mature trees. These actions may generate funds for tree planting and maintenance. The Committee also looks for grants availabilities.
  • The Committee is still concerned about what appears to be indiscriminate cutting down of trees in the township, especially large sizes. As housing development increased, fewer trees remain. It is imperative that specimen trees in good condition be saved. The Committee still perceives that the Township Tree Ordinance is not being enforced. The committee has been reviewing the Tree Ordinance of Jackson Township to see if any improvement can be included in Lawrence Township's Ordinance and will be making appropriate recommendations to Council.
  • For five consecutive years there has been minimum interaction with the Planning Board. The Committee can only give recommendations. Consequently, the interaction with the Planning Board becomes imperative for discussing and implementing appropriate recommendations. There has been no feedback to recommendations submitted by the Committee regarding the site plans that have been reviewed during 2010.
  • Considering budget limitations, the planting activities of the Committee are also limited. The Committee is concentrating the efforts to preserve the status quo and strongly suggests that the Township enforce the tree ordnance in order to preserve existing trees. The latter does not require a budget.
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