Shade Tree Commission of Hatboro
February 21, 2024
7:00 p.m. Public Meeting
Present: Jennifer Hartigan, Chair, Marianne Shaeffer, Vice-Chair, Rebecca Dill, Member, Todd A’Harrah, Secretary
Absent: Alec Shaffer, Member
Public: None
Call to Order 7:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Welcome and Announcements
Public Comment (agenda items only):
Borough Manager Diane Hegele joined us following another meeting at approximately 7:50 p.m., and we collectively enjoyed a time of non-business reflection and sharing.
Approval of January 17, 2024 Minutes: (distributed electronically)
Motion: Marianne; Second: Rebecca; Approval: Unanimous
New Business–Discussion & Action Steps
Items Discussed:
1. Pennypack Property Tree Removal (tree spanning PP Creek to Kate Kohler’s property) Note: This matter indirectly relates to #4, below.
a. Should the STC review or sign any paperwork regarding this matter? It’s understood that the tree has been cleared.
b. In the future, how will decisions be made regarding trees that are perceived to be dangerous on the PPCC property?
c. In what circumstances are stream bank trees not under STC jurisdiction? [The borough recognizes the importance of retaining trees along stream banks to prevent erosion, and is cognizant that even bared roots do not necessarily indicate an unstable tree.]
2. A resident dog-walker strongly suggested the pruning of the small honey locust tree in front of Ventresca’s Travel Agency, as its thorns pose a hazard to children and dogs.
a. Are we empowered to politely suggest to Ventresca’s Travel Agency that the tree be pruned?
b. If not, how should we proceed, please? Note: This is a question for other circumstances as well, as frequently borough citizens are the first to alert us to issues with trees along York Road.
3. Street Tree Inventory
a. The STC is excited to get this started utilizing the tree-keeping app, TreeKeeper. We reviewed some data on this during the meeting, and as an action step, will view the quite-lengthy training video for this during the next month. [TreeKeeper app is detailed and exemplified on p. 7 of the document shared.]
b. As spring approaches and trees bud and leaf, the STC is determined to make relatively short work of York Road’s tree inventory initially. Rebecca provided a realistic expectation of roughly an hour per one-side-of-a-block for inexperienced workers, so we realize that even just York Road will be a significant investment of time for volunteers to inventory and record quasi-comprehensively.
c. We need to obtain DBH tape measures. Such a tape converts a tree’s circumference at a height of 4.5’ to yield a tree’s diameter for this purpose.
d. The STC believes that the York Road inventory and concomitant statistics gathered will yield much pertinent data regarding tree health, sidewalk conditions, adequacy of tree pits, etc.
e. Related to both the Street Tree Inventory and the Park Tree Inventory detailed below, Todd will contact Andrew Ullman from Davey Tree Expert Company to arrange for him to provide guidance in the inventorying of the trees of Hatboro. Andrew Ullman has already indicated both a willingness and availability to do this. In assessing availability and time forecast to guide us in this process, the STC will determine whether to invite Andrew to coach only the STC or instead the EAC, STC, and associated volunteers at a common meeting time. As this will not be a deliberative meeting, this would not require additional advertising, it’s believed.
f. Action Steps—Please see at conclusion of minutes.
4. Park Tree Inventory
a. The STC respectfully resubmits that the scope, tools, and skills of this task are currently beyond our means, and that this stance is unlikely to be altered by the aforementioned Andrew Ullman’s visit.
b. If this is to be accomplished through volunteers—and this is not a given—a much larger body of volunteers will need to be trained particularly to inventory trees clumped in close proximity in areas of extremely poor mobility and accessibility.
c. We ask that the borough please determine whether we may utilize outside resources, and what funding might be provided for such an endeavor.
d. In addition to 4c, above, the STC asks for clarification of the expectations governing such an inventory of the parks. For obvious reasons in addition to
those mentioned in 4b, individual tree health in such an inventory cannot be gauged by other than approximal means.
5. Earth Day in Hatboro
a. The STC sees an opportunity to make its purpose and good intent known to borough residents through this venue, but…
b. We question the wisest use of time and resources. An attractive, sparsely worded email to York Road businesses might more efficiently accomplish this purpose. May we do this?
c. We will further explore options for educating the public to the value and desirability of approved trees throughout the borough.
6. Pending receipt of tree permits, the STC has no further decisions to make at this time.
Non-Business Reflection and Sharing
Remaining 2024 Meeting Dates: March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August—None, September 18, October 16, November—none, December 4
Public Comment
Adjournment 7:51
Motion: Todd; Second: Marianne; Approval: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted by
Todd A’Harrah, Secretary, STC
February 28, 2024
Action Steps:
1. View the TreeKeeper video and record questions.
2. Obtain DBH tape measures.
3. Arrange Andrew Ullman visit (Todd).
4. Consider how the STC might augment the EAC’s efforts during Hatboro’s Earth Day celebration on April 13.