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Politics & Government

Rumson Shade Tree Comission Proposes Changes to Tree Ordinance

At Wednesday's Shade Tree Commission Meeting in Rumson, changes to the Tree Ordinance were discussed and planned to be considered.

The discussion of possible changes to the Tree Ordinance was one of the few topics discussed at Wednesday night's Shade Tree Commission meeting at Borough Hall in Rumson.

The members of the Shade Tree Commission (STC) agreed that some possible changes to the Tree Ordinance should be proposed to the Planning Board.

Parts of the Tree Ordinance that the commission feels should be up for review are as follows: tree replacement policy, reference guides that the Tree Conservation Officer uses to determine significance of trees and consideration of invasive species status of a tree on a removal permit.

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"As a group, we should decide what we want, what we need and what hasn't been done," said Doug Spenser, chairman of the STC.

On the topic of invasive species, STC member Nancey Haaren suggested educating the public about invasive species of trees and why native species are more important.

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"I think people need to know that it's wise to remove any species of trees that are doing more harm then good, and replace these trees with our native species," Haaren said.

The STC decided to have a closed meeting on July 20th to draft up some ideas and changes to the ordinance. These proposed changes will be presented at the Planning Board's August 1st meeting.

Some other topics discussed at Wedneday's meeting were a possible donation of a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar by a Rumson homeowner and the consideration of tree removal permits for 53 Ridge Road and 4 Water Way.

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