Additionally, the Environmental Commission will continue working with NJ Water Supply, Rutgers, and town officials to support rain barrel use and rain gardens with small trees and bushes that aid in absorbing storm water run-off. Willow tree stakes have been planted in stream beds with NJ Water Authority assistance and funding.

Programs

  1. Community tree transplanting and pruning workshops have been conducted.
  2. The Borough also has a Memorial Tree program in cooperation with the Recreation Department.
  3. The Environmental Commission sponsors an annual Earth Day clean-up at various Borough locations with tree seedlings give-a-ways from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Media Communications

  1. Notifications to homeowners who are to receive new street trees are by letter and follow up phone call. An instructional flyer on how to care for their tree is provided.
  2. The use of the local Ville TV and scout groups has been established to convey information.
  3. A kiosk in a local park contains environmental commission messaging and education flyers.

Outreach to Groups

  1. Pruning newer trees being planted through volunteer efforts of environmental commissioners and residents. This provides an opportunity for community contact and reduces the work-load and cost to the Public Works Department.
  2. A Girl Scout tree nursery was established in 2012 and is maintained in conjunction with parks department, scouts, and environmental commission to replace street tree vacancies.
  3. Collaborations with local groups and municipal bodies including the Recreation, Planning Board, Public Works, District Management Association, school and scout groups. Specific goals for future public education and outreach efforts are listed in the Implementation Plan of this document.
  4. Meetings with the district management corporation help educate on tree issues in the downtown district.

8. Statement of Tree Budget

The Borough Council determines the budget each year. In general, the Borough does not have a specific tree budget. Most of the tree planting is done as part of capital projects for street repair and re-paving. Tree replacement is funded, in part, by grants received through the efforts of the Environmental Commission. In addition, the Commission voluntarily coordinates planting strategies, suggests tree species, prunes younger trees, and provides recommendations for maintenance. The Commission has approximately 8 active members and meets once a month for approximately 2 hours. Work related to trees constitutes approximately 10 or more hours per month. A tree planting budget line was established that is funded by Planning Board applicants who provide funds for tree planting when they are unable to plant a sufficient number of trees as part of their project. Currently, there is approximately $13,000 in this account.

Somerville maintains equipment and staff to handle a significant amount of tree work annually.

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