HPHA Minutes

April 2024 Meeting Minutes

Historic Paulus Hook Association

April 4, 2024 Public Meeting

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church

Meeting called to order at 7:40 by Jonathan Kanterman, President

Presentation by Michael DiCiancia, Sr. Forester, Jersey City Division of Forestry

Michael DiCiancia is the Sr. Forester in the Division of Forestry, which is part of the Department of Public Works. The Division of Forestry is responsible for maintaining Jersey City’s stock of trees, while the Department of Sustainability is responsible for planting new trees, though he provides assistance as the only arborist on the city payroll. In addition, he created a tree protection guide for contractors working in the city.

International Society of Arboriculture standards are used to determine the health of trees and risk of failure. His division completed a tree inventory in 2023, cataloging the species and their risk levels. There are currently 20K trees in Jersey City. He is looking to develop a block grooming schedule and prune existing trees every 5 years.

He recommended that you call if you notice a dead branch or another issue with a tree. His contact information can be found here: https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/dpw/forestry

Presentation by Andrew Fenwick, Jersey City Sustainability Manager

Andrew Fenwick is the Sustainability Manager in the Division of Sustainability, which is part of the Department of Infrastructure. The division’s focus is on planting new trees and clean energy initiatives. In 2023, they planted 435 trees and were awarded $3 million in grant funds to plant new trees, primarily focusing on areas that lack green space.

Residents can apply for the “adopt a tree” program on the Division of Sustainability website. Residents cannot request a specific species and the goal is typically to plant the biggest tree possible given the constraints of our environment and to try to plant native, depending on what is feasible for the site.

Pancake Breakfast Budget

Riza Hunger makes a motion untable the vote for the pancake breakfast budget, which will be $1600 in 2024. Phil Petruzelli 2nds the motion.

Phil makes a motion to vote on the budget, Al Baumol 2nds the motion. Unanimous approval.

New Jersey Council for the Humanities History Grant

Stephanie Daniels and Nirupa Umapathy provide an outline of the purpose of the grant funding, which is to support the planning and development of a history project in Paulus Hook. The first product of the grant will be a walking tour for kids and family on May 18. The hope is to apply for an action grant if the planning is successful. The floor was opened for residents to ask questions about the grant, but no one volunteered, and there was broad support for its objectives.

Meeting adjourns at 9:12pm.