A state program to provide trees to municipalities will result in the delivery of hundreds of trees that will be planted along some the township’s major arteries.
The township council approved an $87,800 contract with Down to Earth Landscaping, of Jackson, to provide coniferous and deciduous trees under the state’s “No Net Loss” program, which grants funding to municipalities when state projects – or, in some cases, natural disasters – result in a loss of trees.
Brick has selected several areas where the trees will be planted. A group will be located along Brick Boulevard, approximately from the Mavis Discount Tire store to the Pizza Hut restaurant. Another group will be planted on Burnt Tavern Road, in front of anchor concrete, and east of Route 70 on the same road from O’Brien’s Funeral Home to the All American Mazda dealership.
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Township Administrator Joanna Bergin said the prices for this year’s tree planting came out significantly higher – to the tune of about $20,000 – than originally expected by engineers.
“The trees we’re getting now would have normally been planted in 2012, after which a lot of the nurseries were dealing with Sandy,” she said
A lack of trees, combined with a high demand for trees to replace those damaged in the storm, have caused prices to rise, she said.