Minutes of the January 20, 2009 meeting of:

 

 The West Pittston Shade Tree Commission

                                                                       

 

The regular monthly meeting of the West Pittston Shade Tree Commission was held on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at 6:30p.m., in the conference room of the West Pittston Borough Building.   Commission members answering roll call:  President McHugh, Vice-President Berti, Treasurer Orth and Secretary Mansi.  Guests included Mayor Goldsworthy, Councilman Lescavage, Councilman Musinski, borough employee Lenny Pesta and volunteer Tadd Morris.

 

I.  Reading and Approval of Minutes

 

On motion of McHugh, seconded by Berti and Orth the minutes of the October 27, 2008 meeting were read and approved. 

 

II.         Reports

 

  1. Treasurer Orth reported an account balance of $9,011.47
  2. Deposits include:  $105.00 Balberchak permit and removal; $300.00 Kapral donation for tree planting at the dog park; $105.00 Nelson permit and removal; $1,000.00 borough donation; $20.00 ornament deposit.
  3. Disbursements include: $7.20 WPSTC website; $100.00 Balberchak reimbursement; $50.00 PA One Call; $7.20 WPSTC website; $282.94 Berti reimbursement; $135.00 Lenny Pesta arborist class; $7.20 WPSTC website; $100.00 Occhiato reimbursement; $100.00 Green reimbursement; $100.00 Williams reimbursement; $100.00 Braccini reimbursement.

D.    On motion of McHugh seconded by Berti and Orth the treasurer’s report was accepted through January 20, 2008.

 

III.       Unfinished Business and New Business

 

  1. 328 Fremont Street:  during the month of December a large silver maple tree fell onto a vehicle parked at 328 Fremont Street owned by Debbie Policare.  The owner of the vehicle resides at said address and had their residential sidewalks replaced by contractor: Wyoming Concrete Specialists, Victor Galli prop. 210 East 7th Street Wyoming, 570-693-0207 during the month of September.  The contractor reportedly interfered with the root system of the tree thereby causing the tree to weaken and fall.  WPSTC member Lou Berti witnessed the tree leaning and notified code enforcement officer Dominick Pepe.  Approximately one month elapsed before the tree subsequently fell.  At that time councilman Lescavaage and L. Pesta (Borough Street Dept.)  inspected the root system and discovered that extensive harm had been done to the root system.   A hole had been dug out under the tree and the contractor had actually deposited garbage before filling in around the hole.  Councilman Lescavage obtained photographs of the damage done to the roots and the hole that had been dug out.  Due to the urgency of the matter West Pittston borough hired contractor:  Weidlich Bros. 149 Johnson Street, Pittston, PA 570-655-5332 for the removal of two maple trees, clean up and hauling which cost $2,000.00.  The WPSTC enforced through borough council voted unanimously to collect a sum of $2,200.00.  $2,000.00 for the cost of removal and $200.00 for the WPSTC deposit and replacement of said trees.  WPSTC in cooperation with Borough Council will request Atty. Bufalino initiate certified correspondence to the homeowner in order to collect sum $2,200.00 for the cost of removal and replacement.   It was determined by all in attendance that the responsibility ultimately fell to the homeowner.  She may, however, wish to defer the cost of the incident to the contractor.

 

  1. Structured soil:    Borough council as represented by P. Musinski, K. Lescavage and Mayor Goldsworthy will have the borough code amended requiring contractors utilize structured soil for the replacement of residential sidewalks.

 

  1. List of replaced sidewalks:  Borough manager, S. Bonita will provide the WPSTC with a list of residential addresses where sidewalks had been replaced along with a list of sidewalks slated for replacement in the spring of 2009.  WPSTC will have arborist L. Pesta review the sites to determine if any of the trees where sidewalks had been replaced are hazardous.

 

  1. Status of current WPSTC members:  Assistant treasurer G. Barr will discontinue his service as an official member as of 2009 due to personal reasons.  President McHugh expressed resignation about continuing on as President for 2009.  Volunteer Tadd Morris has interest in becoming an official member of the WPSTC.

 

  1. Tree Vitalize:  Sec. Mansi will review the Tree Vitalize grant requirements and follow up with fellow members regarding grant requirements and roles and responsibilities of other members in order to determine if feasible to meet the grant deadline of February 15, 2009.

 

  1.  106 Parke Street:  Resident Sauerwine wishes to prune shade trees without use of a contractor.  WPSTC to review. 

 

  1.  409 Third Street:  Resident Blaskowicz.  Request for pruning.  WPSTC to review.

 

IV. Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.