Shade Tree Commission Meeting: July 28, 2025
The Lambertville Shade Tree Commission (LSTC) met at 7:30pm on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Commission members Dan, Debra, Susan, Matt, Cynthia, and Art were present.
With one minor spelling correction, they approved the minutes.
They opened public comments. Nobody spoke. They closed public comments.
SDL 2560: Parking Lots Trees
The public parking lot at 14 N. Union Street has brick planters that are going to be removed and new infrastructure will replace them.
Councilman Stegman and Michael represented the city. The current trees are large, and the city wondered if they can be saved. They asked the commission what kind of trees should go in if the city ends up taking the current trees down.
The LSTC discussed bringing in an arborist to look at the current trees. Michael said that the city has a tree guy on contract and the Mayor said the tree guy would look at it. Stegman requested flowering trees, if they need to be replaced.
The commission looked at images of the trees. They’d like to save them, if possible, so they tabled the item until after an expert has looked at the trees. Michael will send a letter with a report from the arborist so the commission can make an educated decision. They discussed the timing, and they want to do it before winter. The motion was tabled until next month.
SDL 2557
Sondra’s neighbor wanted her to cut a big branch off her tree, but she and her neighbor resolved the issue after the SDL was submitted. Sondra showed up, because she didn’t want to leave the commission wondering what happened. The LSTC thanked her for coming in. Sondra also pointed out that the trees by the library parking lot had died from the salt on the sidewalk. The LSTC then discussed how close a tree must be to a house for it to be trimmed. They made a motion to clarify the distance, so they can better help residents in the future.
Request Granted
They approved a resident’s request to trim a tree.
SDL 2558
A resident wanted advice about where and how to plant two trees in her yard. Art suggested locust trees. The resident wasn’t sure where to put the trees and was concerned about the sewer line. The LSTC determined that she’d have to do a mark out, and only the owner can get a mark out. They made a motion to let her know she needs a mark out, and they tabled the issue until that gets done.
SDL 2559
The LSTC approved the request from a resident on Perry Street who wanted to trim three trees there.
Punch Out
Judy thought she might have a city tree. Art told her they’d get clarification. Dan said even if the city planted the tree, it’s on her property. The LSTC looked at images. Art will tell her that’s her tree and it’s her responsibility.
Send a Letter
A tree on Jefferson Street was knocked over. A letter will be sent tomorrow.
Church Street Tree
A tree on Church Street hangs over into the neighbor’s property, and the owner prefers to have an arborist make the cuts. The residents worked it out.
Leaning Tree
Jim’s tree is leaning towards the Kalmia Club. It’s not that big, and perhaps is leaning towards the sun. The owner lives on York Street, and asked if it’s something he should worry about. The LSTC looked at images and talked about the trees in the park, which may be blocking some of the light. The commission wanted to be careful in advising the tree owner, and suggested he chooses a licensed arborist look at the tree. The commission didn’t believe it’s a significant danger, but they wanted the owner to have an expert look at it.
Subcommittee Reports
Art reported that he spoke with Loren, who is writing up the final report for a grant. She wanted to make sure all trees in the inventory are in the same database. The commission tracks street trees, but not park trees. Loren helped write the inventory grant, and will talk with Mary Anne about park trees. They discussed iTree and Arbor Pro, and how each system has different features for keeping records. Loren will send the final grant report to the state.
SDL 2561
A resident on Lambert’s Hill wanted to remove and replace a dead tree, but they have to get approval from the homeowner’s association before they do so. The committed said it’s okay if the HOA is okay with it. They tabled the issue because the owner doesn’t yet have HOA approval. Once the owner has that, the owner can resubmit the SDL and they commission can pick it up from there.
Announcements
There were no announcements.
Etc.
Matt said someone on Union Street requested a tree. He said he’d have her submit a request.
The commission discussed Saint John’s Church, which removed trees without permission and left stumps after redoing their sidewalks a long time ago. The commission asked the church to replace the trees. The landscaper for the church said he would have to talk to the pastor, because the church doesn’t have any money. Art said they’d give the church two trees if the church also put in two.
The meeting adjourned.
Sue reminded and warned everyone that ticks are especially bad this year.
You make a difference. Please leave a tip.