Everyone, usually we say good evening, but morning this time, right? Today's April uh April August 3rd, 2026. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Uh please be advised that this presentation will be live streamed today and will
also be posted on YouTube. Welcome to the special public meeting of August 3rd, 2026. The Township of Washington Township Council. Adequate notice of this meeting was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the township clerk to at least two newspapers on July
15, 2026. And this notice has been posted on the township bullet board, electronic message board, WCTV, and the township website. Please notify the municipal clerk of any disability requirements necessary for attendance at the township council meetings. The fire exits are located through the double
doors on your right and through the door on your left. Please silence all cell phones. If you are unable to attend the council meeting in person and would like a topic to be the addressed at the council meeting, please visit www town township of Washington. us contact us
tab, click on mayor and council, send email to contact all council members at once. Uh can we please have a salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Casio >> here. >> Councilman Sears >> here. >> Councilman. Counciloman >> here. >> Council President Cena.
>> I got I got it. Let the record also reflect in attendance Mayor Kal Murray, Township Council Administrator, Mr. Carlo and township clerk Suicowski. Today approval minutes none. Resolutions today none. Ordinance none. I'd like to
open up the uh public comment. Motion to open the public comment. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> If anyone from the public would like to comment, please address yourself the microphone. >> Seeing no one in attendance. Motion to
close session. >> Second. All in favor? >> I I Okay. Okay. Today we have a special presentation uh from Montlair uh State University about our tree canopy and health concerns. I'm going to hand over
the meeting to Mr. Sears right now >> because the he's our green team leader and he has vast knowledge. Mr. Lorax. >> Thank you, Vice President Dr. Casio. Uh I want to welcome the Montlair State um
my green team assistants. Uh they have been working all summer very hard on this presentation. Um they have visit the uh township. They have walked through some of the parks and areas. Um, this is a very important issue uh that
I've been bringing up for multiple years uh on our tree canopy and loss. And I appreciate every one of the students and their leadership that actually came out to the township and they invested mostly all of their summer in assisting us in
in reviewing this and giving us some direction uh going forward. With that being said, I am going to turn this over to >> Mr. Se. Can you just introduce our candidates? >> Yes. Uh, I would ask everybody to
please, you know, stand up and introduce yourself. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Good morning everyone. Thank you for having us. My name is Safa Muhammad. >> My name is Jakob Sabra. >> My name is Sony Blaze. >> My name is Nathan McCracken.
>> And I am Sophia Suna. We're the green team serving your township. >> Welcome. >> And I'm the assistant program manager for >> Thank you all. I would uh probably mess up your names. So, it was a lot easier for me to ask you to come out and say
that to be truthful. But, uh why don't we start off and lead it off and I'm going to tell everybody right now it's a terrific presentation and a lot of great information. I think all of you did an exceptional job on this. Thank you.
>> Okay. So to start uh we we are the green teams. We are interns at Monontlair State University, the PSG Institute for Sustainability Studies. And we have been working this summer here in the township assessing your tree canopy trends and
loss as well as um health outcomes uh and people's understandings of how tree canopy be relates to overall health. We have been engaging with the community through community surveys and other engagement like attending your um 250th
anniversary celebration a few weeks ago and today we're here to present our results and talk you through what we have been doing this summer. >> Before we begin, we'd like to define what exactly we mean when we say tree
canopy loss. So tree canopy loss is the reduction in total tree canopy coverage of a given community or township. Of course this summer we've been focusing on your township, the township of Washington. This usually it's because of two reasons why we experience uh tree
canopy loss. One of which is because of uh climate change and the other is urbanization. >> So why does this matter? Without our tree canopy, the leaves that would have once absorbed the heat that is coming from the sun as well of the carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere is no longer there. And so it leaves the concrete to absorb all of that heat which increases the temperature of the area. When this happens, this worsens the air quality. And because of that, because of increased temperatures and more carbon
dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, this can be related to different illnesses and diseases. Diseases such as increased asthma rates in the younger population, um heat strokes or or uh heat related illnesses as well as cardiovascular
diseases. Additionally, it has been proven that be that nicer um environment or better green spaces are related to better mental health and social well-being. >> We've been hard at work all summer on four key projects that we believe are
going to be part of the impact that we can make on the township of Washington. Starting off with our community survey which we designed and made so that residents we could understand how what residents felt about the situation and what exactly they knew. We've also went
ahead and designed and used our planting guide which uses the uh two for one tree removal policy and a planting guide which will inform residents on which plants are native to their exact area and how they can go about planting
plants should they choose to. So we began our project with pre-reliminary studies that shown that the township has lost up to 6% overall tree canopy coverage from the years 1985 to 2023. We also identifying the most
vulnerable areas of the township. Among them the most prominent is census block group 6 which is located in the middle eastern part of the township of Washington. This zone has lost up to 15% of its tranopy coverage. We did a simple rear prediction for the next 15 years
and according to that in around the year 2032, we expect the number to drop below 40% which is by many scholars considered a threshold that is at not optimal or even dangerous to certain populations such as infants, elders or people with
pre-existing medical conditions. So to address this issue, we began with u designing a community survey. We did all of the adequate calculations to ensure that our sample is representative. We targeted 148 people
to be surveyed. Our survey took about 5 minutes to complete. It consisted of 20 multiplechoice questions and we used cold tricks as a software to design the survey. We did our surveying in four locations over four days. These locations include the memorial park, a
community center, shopping center, and the public library. And now Sappi is going to identify the most important topics we included in the survey. >> Yeah. So, as mentioned earlier in our presentation, we knew we wanted our survey to focus on community perceptions of and understandings of tree canopy
loss in the township. So, we came up with a set of a set of objectives that we wanted our survey to focus around, including um whether residents had noticed increases or decreases in the amount of trees or construction in their areas in the past 5 years, whether they
found their green spaces to be accessible, whether they'd recently removed trees from their property, and then finally, whether they knew what tree canopy loss was, and also all of its potential benefits. So, to get into some of our results, we were ultimately able to survey 140 people across the
township. 80 of those respondents were residents of the township of Washington and 60 were residents of nearby and neighboring areas. So this allowed us to create a comparison of how residents and non-residents responded to these questions. So as you can see up here, 74% of the residents we surveyed noticed
a decrease in the amount of trees in their area over the past 5 years as compared to only about half of the non-residents. And we also saw that more residents than non-residents noticed increases in construction. Um, we also saw, as you can see, that a majority of everybody that we surveyed recognized
that tree canopy loss can impact public health, but a much smaller percentage of those respondents actually identified all potential benefits of a strong tree canopy. Now, when analyzing our overall results, we notice how we face some limitation limitations and challenges. This
included time constraints. As Jacko mentioned, we were only able to survey four days. And out of these four days, three were within the the working uh days. So that was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And we were out there in the town surveying from 10:00 a.m. until 2
p.m., which as you know is within the working hours. So we were likely not reaching the working population of the township. And that limited our ability to engage on a larger scale with the township and the residents. And thus our sample size was was uh small smaller
than we expected. And then when analyzing our overall results, we noticed how we um did not really reach the younger population of the township. Majority of our respondents were uh of the age 45 and above. And as well we
noticed how majority of our respondents were um identifi they identify themselves as female. So that left aside the male population of the township. >> Like mentioned earlier, infographics just like this that we designed were
really critical in the surveying process. They informed residents about what exactly we're talking about. It defines defines some of the key terms as well as in introduces what residents can do about tree canopy loss.
So, moving on to our next deliverable for the summer. This is the planting guide that we created for the residents of the township in um to help residents be able to remove plants from their backyards and follow the two for one tree removal policy and planting a new
one. Now, let's go a little bit into what the two for one tree removal policy is. Basically, this policy indicates that if you want to remove um a tree that is bigger or wider than a certain requirement, then you have to um either replace it with two or um with one or
more trees or pay into the fund um that the township has that so that it could be planted in another area of the township. So, what we did was create a simple list of instructions on how actually you can do this. Um what are the steps you can
take? Um, and it's it's on it's outlined in this in the magnifying glass to the left. And then additionally, we also created um a list of native plants uh that are both smaller and open space that people could refer to when deciding what trees to incorporate into their um
backyards. We created this planting guide using the 50 best um trees for New Jersey list as well as relying on other planting guides that have been proven to be successful in other parts of New Jersey as well.
So moving on to the discussion after completing the surveys and doing a little bit of analysis these are some of the things that we additionally found to be important. So, some additional findings that we found through talking through some of the residents in the township is that one of the reasons that
people end up having to remove trees um from their backyards is because of storms that might rip them out of the ground uh and so they're no longer, you know, standing up. And then also disease or plants reaching the end of their lifespan is another reason why people
end up removing trees from their um back backyards. Um, as we're looking towards the future, one thing that the township can continue to investigate is air quality. As I mentioned before, air quality is completely tied to health
outcomes. And so, one thing that the town should do is assessing areas with reduced tree canopy and assessing the air qualities in those areas and maybe figuring out what we can do to improve the air quality in these spaces. As we're cons as we continue, we hope that
the township remain continues to uh do community outreach and engagement because the only way that we're going to be able to maintain these green spaces if we get residents interested. The only way people are going to know um maintain their green spaces if they want to and they understand the importance and the
benefits of having green spaces in their township. So, speaking of continued community outreach and engagement, we also created this online resource. It's called a story map. It's permanent. You'll get the link to it and we'll have a QR code as well, but I'm going to just walk you through it um to give you some more
information. So, as you can see, we start off with some of the general benefits of a strong tree canopy. And we take you through some of the data we took you through earlier on tree canopy loss across the township. And then coming up here, you see this map which allows you to visualize the level of tree canopy in each of the areas of the
township in 1985 compared to 2023. So when you slide it all the way to the right, you're seeing the level of tree canopy. You'll see it in a second. You'll you're seeing the level of tree canopy in each of the areas in 1985. And then when you slide it all the way back to the left, you're seeing it in 2023.
So this really gives us a visualization of how much loss has occurred in each area over these past decades. Um and then coming up, you'll also see that we have this visualization comparing aerial imagery from Google Earth. So really the level of tree canopy loss in the township is also v visual visual v
visible over satellite. So on the left you have 2007 in the summer and on the right you have 2022. And then we go a little bit more into some of the health impacts associated with tree canopy that we mentioned earlier as well. So we have reduced temperatures as we all know
trees provide shade. They also cool the air around them. And then air quality which Sophony talked about a lot. um air quality is improved by a strong tree canopy since trees directly remove pollutants from the air around them like carbon monoxide and ozone and others. And then finally, reduced illness and
disease, whether that's heat related illnesses or cardiovascular and respiratory diseases like asthma. And then finally, what can we all do? We can of course not remove trees unless we need to. we can care for our plants and our trees on our properties, volunteer with the township's green screen team,
and then of course keep up to date with what the township is going to continue to do to mitigate tree canopy loss in all y'all's backyards. Um, thank you everyone and we have these resources for you. You can scan that for the story map and if anybody has any questions, feel
free. E, >> excellent presentation. >> Outstanding. I can never do something like that. >> It was fantastic. It's just it's just nice to see that young people are getting involved and you know sometimes when you live in an area for a long time you don't notice
the small the big changes over a long period of time but that map is really >> um dramatic. Yeah. you know, for 19. >> Did you scroll down to that map again and do the slide over? It's amazing. Um, >> that's that's a dramatic um finding of
of your team. >> Again, you know, time something that's gradual, you know, uh can really impact >> you in a different way. So while they're searching for that uh excellent presentation uh a lot of great
uh information for us to look at going forward. Uh but if you look at that slide presentation, the amount of loss is unbelievable during this time frame and it does affect the health the heat ratio uh the
township uh um heat from the ground level is increased and um u if okay you should be >> getting that. Oh, you mean the >> Yeah, but that you can see
>> a lot of >> So, if you scroll over the the left and cover it all the way over, see how thick the canopy is. >> Yeah, it's much more. >> And then scroll back and you'll see where we are today.
>> These are all amazing uh um visual heat issues, health issues. Um, and you can't sustain a community when you don't have that canopy. It it affects the health and welfare of the
whole community. So, that's one of the reasons we green tea has been trying to try and put trees back into the neighborhood, you know. Um, excellent presentation and, uh, I have some certificates of, uh, recommendation
from the mayor and the council. I would ask Dr. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Sorry. Um, no, thank you so much for um joining us here and and presenting that was great. Um, like Councilman Seir says, seeing the difference it that's that's impactful. So, that that was
really important. Um, my question, I guess, or advice that I'm looking for is we do take down these trees because they're diseased. They've reached the end of their lifespan. So what advice can you give to the you know common homeowner that wants to protect their
property but at the same time help the environment. So besides the two for one I mean you can't replace a 100-year-old tree. So what can you do as a resident to facilitate you know responsibility but also responsibility for the
environment? >> Yeah that's that's that's true. We we actually had the opportunity um to go with um Councilman Tier um Sears to Lincoln Park and they were beautiful like hundred-year-old trees and that were reaching the end of their lifespan
which is unfortunate of course but um I think for residents that aren't able to replace really old trees just understanding that even if you can't replace it with the same tree um being able to recognize okay like what are native plants? What are going to help uh the natural habitat that already exists
here? what is best for wildlife that's um that's living in New Jersey. I think understanding what's what's a good alternative maybe um is really good. And I think like like um the the two for one tree removal policy like doesn't limit you. If you want to put if you remove one tree and you want to plant back four
trees like by all means do that. I think the more greens, the more encouraged residents are to um uh uh plants on their property, the better it's ultimately going to be um for residents health outcomes.
>> Yeah. And I also think it's not only trees. Like Sophie was talking about earlier in our presentation, what green spaces and trees really do is they limit the amount of imperous surface cover, which is concrete and and asphalt and all that and all those surfaces that really take in heat and don't allow for
filtering of the air and that's what leads to all these these health impacts. So, I think even trying to keep your property green in other ways, whether that's a small garden, having less paved surfaces and more grass, um, more just more plants in general is also going to
benefit the ecosystem, the wildlife, and the air much more than having none of that would. >> I I guess I have a question, you know, regarding and it relates to the impervious surfaces. You know, most people they have driveways, right, that are totally impervious.
>> Would the green team be in favor of more more pvious surfaces like um uh bricks, pavers as opposed to uh madam? Would you know that? Or what's the >> I'm not going to give a recommendation
on that. I don't think >> you know just you know these these are things that you know when people build these big houses >> they take up a lot of space. Mhm. >> You know, and it's just that we don't have any place to put the trees. If we everything's covered at 90%, you got 10% for trees if you decide to use it.
That's the issue. But like I think also like even if you decide to have like a like a concrete driveway, just planting a tree like that covers it maybe makes a difference, you know, like it doesn't we're not saying like don't obviously urbanization can be important especially if like if you're driving you know if
it's a driving town that's important but like just just making sure that you're having at least a few trees or some green surfaces I think makes a difference in not having none at all. And it's it's also like um we can put a policy in place, right, and tell people
like, hey, like you have to replace your trees if um if we take it down. But that's not as effective as helping residents understand like if you have young children, like this is what's going to help you um uh prevent them from having early like early um age asthma, like prevent them from suffering
from these different he illnesses. Like that understanding is going to motivate people to make the space for the trees and those green spaces regardless of >> absolutely the buy the res. >> Yeah, exactly.
>> We have a question. >> Ma'am, you want to come to the mic? >> Microphone. >> This is a this is a casual meeting, correct? Council. Yes. Just >> so we can hear you though. >> Excuse me. just so we can hear you. >> Is this working? Perfect. Okay.
>> I have a sycamore tree in my backyard that is more than 50 years old. I've lived there 53 years. It was there before me. >> I worry about it because if it goes down on its own, not that I ever plan to take it down, but it will damage homes on on
the one side of my property. So, how do you know when you need to worry about that? I mean, this year it didn't bloom when it normally blooms. And my landscape guy told me it was because of that early 100 degree week we had that the tree got stunned. That was his word. And to give it time and it would come
back. And it did. And I was very grateful because if I had to take it down, it cost me thousands of dollars. I mean, it's huge. It keeps my whole backyard shaded. So, I love it. But I worry about it. you what you can do is reach out to an arborist and he can look at the tree and give you what directions
to go to. >> Okay? >> You know, that would be your best value and and best idea to go. >> Okay. >> And there's plenty of arborists around that can assist you. >> Okay. I should probably do that because I live on Me Street, so I have that culvert in my backyard. Correct. And my
land dips that way >> into into the culvert. I mean, the land's eroding and the tree is right there. Uh >> yeah, I would definitely reach out to an arborist and have them review your tree, >> you know, to give you the better direction on where to go.
>> Thanks. I took your survey. It was great. >> Yes, please come up. >> I'm up here to make my husband uncomfortable. >> Okay, so you guys have raised some really good stuff. you've done really good research and thank you to the green team and the township for being
interested. I think this is a major argument for fighting over development. Um we've seen a lot of our land disappear under affordable housing that isn't really affordable, but we want to keep it balanced. years ago, WCTV went to a presentation at Bergen Community
College. And one of the facets of that um conference presentation, if you will, is that every town needs green space. Just human beings need green space, which is one reason why I'm glad we were able to work out the deal on 450, but
that's another whole thing. But the cost of replacement trees is pretty high and that might limit people too in terms of what they're able to do on their properties. But thank you for listening. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Anyone would like to ask
the green team and our students any questions? >> Well, I think it probably time for recognition. >> I think it's time for recognition. >> Steve, you have a question. Mark, >> so I would ask the mayor and vice president Dr. cashier to come down and
award you uh certificates of appreciation from the township of Washington for this outstanding job. I would ask Councilwoman BZ to come down. >> Small meeting. >> Small meeting. >> Small meeting.
>> Sure, I guess. Would you like an easy job? >> Sophony Blaze. Blazy Blaze. You guys want to take a picture? >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Nathan McCracken. >> Yes. >> You guys have to let me know if I'm doing a good job >> or correctly. >> He took the big name. Yes. Thank you
very much. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your work. >> Thanks for the offer. >> Thank you. >> Excellent presentation. >> Safa Muhammed. >> I had 10 seconds to practice.
Sometimes that's >> great. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Sabura. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you,
>> Sophia. I need that. I need >> very nice presentation. >> Sophia, do you have yours? >> Oh, yeah. >> I know. Better than Thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> She had to take care of things. >> Oh, could you? Is that this? >> Thank you all. >> Thank you so much. Hey, you get I'll take a picture of your phone. Can I get one?
>> May I need to post for the world? You good? You good? >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you very much. >> And we'll probably see you tomorrow >> at the presentation. >> Yes. >> But
back up. Oh yes. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Again, thank you so much for your efforts and your um responsibilities to the township and the community. Um you're doing a fantastic job. Monontlair State produces some outstanding students over the years and you're in that
league. At this time, I'd like to call a German to the meeting. >> So move. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. I. >> Okay. I think we're good. >> Thank you. Thank you so much for coming today and doing all this great work. Thank you.