Help to buy trees

The Middlesex County Board of Freeholders has approved $3,125 for Monroe Township under the county Urban Forestry Program.

By:Al Wicklund
   MONROE — The Middlesex County Board of Freeholders has approved $3,125 for Monroe Township under the county Urban Forestry Program.
   The grant for the planting of trees at the Monroe Tree Park was one of 11 totaling $29,865 awarded by the freeholders June 7.
   Council President Henry Miller said Tuesday the county money, to be used for the tree park on Prospect Plains Road near the Half Acre Road intersection, is just part of the financing needed for a townwide project to plant more trees.
   "The township is seeking state Green Acres funds, and other funds, for the tree project, a priority with Mayor (Richard) Pucci.
   "In addition to the plantings at the park site on Prospect Plains Road, the project will include the planting of trees along Applegarth Road, starting opposite Rossmoor and continuing to Route 33," Mr. Miller said.
   Barbara Wilcenski, chairwomen of the township’s Shade Tree Commission for the past 12 years, said the commission welcomes the county funding and any other funds that will help add to the numbers of trees in Monroe.
   "We have a number of applications out seeking additional funding. Township residents are proud of the beauty provided by Monroe’s trees and supportive of efforts to plant more trees, Ms. Wilcenski said.
   Freeholder Camille Fernicola, liaison to the to the county Urban Forestry Advisory Committee, said at the freeholder meeting when the grants were approved, "Middlesex County will continue to provide staff support and county funds to help maintain this important effort."
   In addition to Monroe, grants were given to the Edison and Highland Park boards of education and the municipalities of Carteret, Highland Park, Middlesex Borough, Milltown, Piscataway, South Plainfield and South River.