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Record of Proceedings

Shade Tree Commission Meeting - September 30, 2026

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Wednesday, September 30, 2026
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateWednesday, September 30, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:50

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Festival.

0:00

We have an update.

0:01

Can Frank or Matt since you guys probably I think or Tim stayed there the most

Speaker 2

0:06

it was extremely successful.

0:08

Perfect.

0:09

We had our table set up in the middle aisle.

0:12

We had lots of visitors.

0:15

The tree was won by a eight-year-old who won it two years in a row.

0:20

Which is a less than point zero three percent probability.

0:26

But we're not gonna mention she's my granddaughter.

Speaker 3

0:30

Very good.

0:31

Anybody else want to say anything?

Unassigned speaker

0:34

All

Speaker 1

0:34

right, thank you, Frank.

0:35

Thank you, Matt.

0:35

Thank you, Tim and Kristen, and uh

Speaker 3

0:38

you were away then.

Speaker 1

0:40

But everybody that came out, thank you very much.

0:42

Um sounds like it was very successful.

0:45

Next up,

Unassigned speaker

0:47

we

Speaker 1

0:47

have a memorial tree planting for Sarah Pilling.

0:50

So we planted a uh red bud for in memory of Sarah at the Willows, right beyond the terrace.

0:58

Um it's a smaller tree, it's only about uh five, six feet, but um hopefully it will grow and uh be there for years to

Unassigned speaker

1:06

come.

Unassigned speaker

1:07

Thank you for doing that.

Speaker 1

1:08

So shout out to Sarah.

Unassigned speaker

1:10

Yeah.

Speaker 1

1:12

All right, next up we have the Ranner Conservancy Tree Tree Toberfest.

1:16

Um I received an email and I just thought I'd put it on here.

1:20

On behalf of Reiner Conservancy, I'm excited to invite you to take a part in Tree Toberfest, our tree giveaway and fall festival.

1:27

This community celebration honors conservation, sustainability, and natural beauty of Ranner Township, taking place on Sunday, October 25th from one to four p.m.

1:35

at the Willows Mansion.

Unassigned speaker

1:37

Um

Speaker 1

1:37

it's a family friendly day, brings together neighbors, businesses, and conservancy members who care deeply about protecting and enhancing our community.

1:46

Highlights include raffle children's activities and our annual tree giveaway, providing more than 350 native trees to improve local habitats for wildlife.

Unassigned speaker

1:56

So

Speaker 1

1:56

that was the email and from Betsy Mashew, the Renner Conservancy president.

2:03

Um she also for the Shade Tree Commission.

2:06

Let us know if we would like to do a group table at the event.

2:10

So is there any does anybody want to could attend, would like to, and would like to do a table?

Speaker 2

2:20

I think it's a great idea, but I'm gonna be out of town.

Speaker 1

2:24

And I have something going on that day as well.

Speaker 4

2:27

I'm I'm around.

2:29

I can show up in the late thing.

Speaker 1

2:32

Would you guys want to take the lead on that?

2:34

And I mean, I think it would be probably informal thing and just show up in okay.

2:38

Perfect.

2:38

And

Speaker 2

2:39

I can get you, you know, our tablecloths, which I washed and uh signage.

Unassigned speaker

2:43

All

Speaker 1

2:43

right, so I'll leave the planning to you too.

2:45

Is that cool?

2:46

Yeah, so I can forget about the email.

2:48

Thank you.

2:49

Um I will forward it to you.

2:52

Okay.

Unassigned speaker

3:00

Okay,

Speaker 1

3:01

next up we have Wayne Master Plan a vision for Wayne.

3:05

Um, I didn't make the last meeting.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Tree Management█████████████████████████████████████████████56%
Tree Planting Regulations███████████████████24%
Budget Equity Analysis████5%
Floodplain Management██3%
Procedural██3%
Public Works Staffing██3%
Landscaping██2%
Master Planning█1%
Stormwater Management█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Shade Tree Commission Meeting – September 30, 2026

The Shade Tree Commission met on September 30, 2026, at the Radnorshire Room. The board reviewed several grading permits, discussed a budget request to the Board of Commissioners, debated a proposed "look-back" ordinance for retroactive tree removal, and approved a tree planting project at the Blue Route Gateway. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes from August 26, 2026.
  • Announcements included: (1) Wayne Fall Festival was very successful with a table and tree giveaway; (2) A memorial redbud was planted for Sara Pilling at the Willows; (3) The Radnor Conservancy's "TreeTOberfest" tree giveaway and fall festival will be Sunday, October 25, 1–4 PM at Willows Mansion; (4) The Wayne Master Plan is available at avisionforwayne.com.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public offered comments during the designated public participation periods.

Discussion Items

  • New Grading Permits: The board reviewed seven grading permit applications.
    • 11 Lockwood Lane: A revised grading permit for a new single-family dwelling. The applicant removed five trees not previously approved. The board approved contingent on the engineer updating plans to show five replacement trees.
    • 3 Lockwood Lane: A revised grading permit. The applicant had removed two hazardous trees earlier. The board approved contingent on updating the tree replacement plan to include nine trees (six large canopy, three any size) to compensate for those removals.
    • 319 Louella Ave: Pool construction, no trees removed. Approved contingent on tree protection fencing around a maple tree in the driveway.
    • 326 S Wayne Ave: No applicant present; tabled.
    • 544 St Davids Ave: Pool and patio, no trees removed. Approved.
    • 3201 Greene Countrie Drive: Addition and remodel. The homeowner discussed steep slope grading and erosion control. Approved, with an expectation that a civil engineering plan would be submitted.
    • 645 Radnor Valley Drive: In-law suite, no trees removed. Approved.
  • 2026 Budget Request to BOC: Commissioner Frank presented a request for $20,000 from the general fund to support spring planting ($11,000) and maintenance of riparian projects at the Willows and Filipone Park ($9,000). Discussion included the need for maintenance funding and the potential for using MS4 funds. The board voted to approve the presentation to the Board of Commissioners, with an added component on MS4 requirements.
  • Retroactive Tree Removal "Look-Back" Ordinance Provision: Kristen presented a draft ordinance allowing the commission to review tree removal on a property within the preceding six years. Key debate centered on the word "may" vs. "shall," the six-year lookback period, the burden of proof on applicants, and the treatment of prior ownership changes. The board tabled the item until John Hosback (the tree expert) could attend a future meeting to explain its necessity.
  • Blue Route Gateway Tree Planting: James proposed planting three redbuds, three serviceberries, and one swamp white oak at the Blue Route and St. Davids Avenue gateway. The plant material cost is $530; James offered to donate installation and mulch. The board approved the planting contingent on confirming that township funds can be used on state property. If not, James will fund the materials privately.
  • Tree Protection Fencing: Tabled pending a response from Mr. Norcini.
  • Willows & Filipone Riparian Projects Update: The project is progressing. John Hosback recommended welded steel tree protection for 200 new plants. The board discussed grouping plants to simplify fencing and using deer-resistant species. A volunteer planting day is planned; refreshments and logistics will be finalized offline.

Key Outcomes

  • All seven grading permits were approved, most with conditions related to tree protection or updated replacement plans.
  • The commission voted to proceed with the $20,000 budget request presentation to the Board of Commissioners (unanimous).
  • The look-back ordinance was tabled for further discussion with John Hosback.
  • The Blue Route Gateway planting was approved (unanimous), subject to funding confirmation.
  • The hazardous trees removed by residents and the township were noted, with no further action.
  • Meeting adjourned without any other new business.

Meeting Transcript

Festival. We have an update. Can Frank or Matt since you guys probably I think or Tim stayed there the most it was extremely successful. Perfect. We had our table set up in the middle aisle. We had lots of visitors. The tree was won by a eight-year-old who won it two years in a row. Which is a less than point zero three percent probability. But we're not gonna mention she's my granddaughter. Very good. Anybody else want to say anything? All right, thank you, Frank. Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Tim and Kristen, and uh you were away then. But everybody that came out, thank you very much. Um sounds like it was very successful. Next up, we have a memorial tree planting for Sarah Pilling. So we planted a uh red bud for in memory of Sarah at the Willows, right beyond the terrace. Um it's a smaller tree, it's only about uh five, six feet, but um hopefully it will grow and uh be there for years to come. Thank you for doing that. So shout out to Sarah. Yeah. All right, next up we have the Ranner Conservancy Tree Tree Toberfest. Um I received an email and I just thought I'd put it on here. On behalf of Reiner Conservancy, I'm excited to invite you to take a part in Tree Toberfest, our tree giveaway and fall festival. This community celebration honors conservation, sustainability, and natural beauty of Ranner Township, taking place on Sunday, October 25th from one to four p.m. at the Willows Mansion. Um it's a family friendly day, brings together neighbors, businesses, and conservancy members who care deeply about protecting and enhancing our community. Highlights include raffle children's activities and our annual tree giveaway, providing more than 350 native trees to improve local habitats for wildlife. So that was the email and from Betsy Mashew, the Renner Conservancy president. Um she also for the Shade Tree Commission. Let us know if we would like to do a group table at the event. So is there any does anybody want to could attend, would like to, and would like to do a table? I think it's a great idea, but I'm gonna be out of town. And I have something going on that day as well. I'm I'm around. I can show up in the late thing. Would you guys want to take the lead on that? And I mean, I think it would be probably informal thing and just show up in okay. Perfect. And I can get you, you know, our tablecloths, which I washed and uh signage.

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