Shade tree committee clash sparks heated council debate

During a recent council meeting, John Kilby, a long-time member of the Shade Tree Committee, addressed comments made by fellow committee member Foster Osborne regarding a tree removal incident. Kilby, who has served on the committee for over a decade, felt compelled to clarify the situation after Osborne publicly criticized him at the October 8 meeting.

Kilby recounted an email exchange from May, where he thanked Osborne for intervening in a tree removal that lacked a permit. He invited Osborne to share his experience at a subsequent Shade Tree Committee meeting, but tensions arose when Osborne insisted on bringing a police officer to the discussion. Kilby deemed this unnecessary and attempted to maintain the meeting's schedule, leading to Osborne's frustration.

Following the meeting, Kilby received a series of emails from Osborne, which included personal attacks and accusations regarding Kilby's qualifications and the effectiveness of the tree ordinance. Kilby defended his expertise, citing his 17 years as a Rutgers master gardener and his collaboration with the committee's arborist, John Linston.

In response to Osborne's claims, Kilby emphasized the committee's efforts to improve the tree ordinance, which he believes will enhance the arborist's ability to manage tree-related issues effectively. He concluded his remarks by addressing the accusations of rudeness directed at him, suggesting that such claims were unfounded.

The meeting also featured a question from Jim Bennett, a resident, regarding the GEA program presented earlier by Lisa Hibbs of Commercial Utility Consultants Inc. The council confirmed that details about the program would be made available on the city website for public access. The meeting concluded with no further public comments.