Frequently Asked Questions

Hawthorne Shade Tree Governance

The Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission (HSTC), is comprised of five volunteer members and two alternate members appointed by the Mayor to five year overlapping terms.  The Shade Tree Commissioners work together as a board on policy and measures related to the proper care and stewardship of Shade Trees in the town.  Public meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm.  Tree maintenance/remediation is managed and coordinated by the Borough and the hired contractor.

Hawthorne Shade Trees are in the "right of way".  That generally means 10 feet from the curb into the lawn (there are other measurement factors that determine the 10ft.).  If the tree is in the grass at the curb and there is a sidewalk, it is likely Shade Tree.  Our Arborist will be able to measure and make that determination.  If you are not sure, please call or email Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 ext. 218 or email HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org.

Please go the Borough website for the following links:

1. https://www.hawthornenj.org/324/Shade-Tree-Commission
2. http://ecode360.com/14639068
3. http://ecode360.com/14639043

It's always sad to see big mature trees removed. Trees on private property are not subject to the Shade Tree guidelines.  The Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission has no jurisdiction over trees on private property, however, please report the tree to the Hawthorne Building Department at 973-427-5555 x 261. 

Pruning and Removal Requests

If you think your Shade Tree needs to be removed, please contact the Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 ext. 218 or email HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org.  Our town arborist will be out within two weeks to review the situation and provide a remediation plan.  Please let us know if you think this is an URGENT issue so we can arrange a faster review.  Also note, for every tree  that is removed, the HSTC will do its best to replace the tree during the following planting cycle.

General turnaround time for tree remediation is 2-3 months, weather permitting, and if there are no other urgent tree remediation's that need to take place.  Steps we take are:

1. Record resident request and create a work order.
2. Work order goes to Arborist.
3. Assessment is made and logged after remediation plan is submitted by Arborist.
4. Remediation directions are submitted to our contractor.
5. Work is then prioritized.
6. Our goal is to complete remediation in 3 months or less if possible.  All requests are tracked and recorded to completion.  There may be weather and scheduling considerations that prevent a standard remediation timeframe.

Great question, stump removal is approximately 4 weeks after the Shade Tree is removed.  The area needs to be marked out by Public Works so no public services are impacted.  Also, we try to ground multiple stumps at a time.  

When in doubt, please contact the Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 ext. 218 or email HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org..  We can help with the next steps.

We understand you may want to appeal a decision recently made.  To appeal, please do the following:

• Submit the request in writing to HSTC.  This can be mailed or emailed.
• Include any and all back up to support your request (bills, invoices, pictures).
• Appeal should be submitted prior to a monthly meeting so we may have a chance to review.  Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm, in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Borough Hall.
• Results of the appeal will be sent to you in writing or you can attend the following months meeting.

Replanting's 

Your are correct, Hawthorne Shade Tree does try to budget for a planting each Fall.  These trees are placed in the right of way, generally 10 feet from the curb in front of your home.  We love when residents ask for these trees.  Please call or email Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 ext. 218 or HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org and make your request.  We will fulfill all we can.  These plantings are also used to replace trees removed for health reasons/road correction needs during yearly roadwork.  Tree Maintenance Request Form 

There is complete thoughtfulness in the trees selected by our arborist.  Our arborist selects trees based upon site conditions.

• If there are overhead utilities (wires), only species that mature small are used.  If there are no overhead utilities, then the species used is based upon the width of the planting belt (the space between curd and street).
• If at least 48" wide, then larger species are planted.  If smaller than 48" wide, then smaller species are used.  We are very aware of root-sidewalk conflicts and avoid trees with large roots.

Yes, once you have secured your Zoning Permit for sidewalk repair,* please call Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 Ext. 218 or email HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org to make your tree request.  The Borough arborist will come inspect the tree once the sidewalk is open and roots exposed.  No roots can be cut or trees removed without the arborist direction.  If trees are cut in any way, this may result in a violation to the homeowner and contractor.  

Tree Maintenance Request Form

*The borough has assumed responsibility for certain sidewalk repairs for trees planted after June 1, 2023; refer to the borough code for details.

Ordinance chapter: 444-25 #2316-23:  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Borough of Hawthorne plants a shade tree in the area between the sidewalk and the curb or street from and after June 1, 2023, and the shade tree is determined by the Borough Engineer to be the sole cause of the sidewalk becoming unsafe or unfit to walk upon, the Borough of Hawthorne shall undertake the repair or replacement of such affected sidewalk area at its cost and expense. 

The Borough of Hawthorne shall be under no obligation to make any inspection to determine whether or not an unsafe condition exists unless notice is received from the abutting owner that a suspected unsafe condition exists. In such event, the Borough Engineer shall inspect the sidewalk to determine whether or not there is an unsafe condition and whether or not the cause of such condition solely relates to growth of the planted shade tree. If the Engineer determines that the sidewalk requires repair or replacement and the cause is not solely related to growth of the shade tree, it shall remain the obligation of the abutting owner to make such repair or replacement.

[Added 5-17-2023 by Ord. No. 2316-23]

Yes, roadwork happens yearly.  The HSTC arborist works with the Borough Engineer to determine what if any tree remediation is needed to complete roadwork successfully.  Letters are sent to residents by the Borough Administrator to make you aware of the upcoming work. As a general rule, the arborist makes every effort to save every tree without compromising the tree or roadwork.  The Hawthorne Shade Tree also works with the arborist to replace removed trees with trees that are appropriate for the site.  If you have questions on roadwork, please contact the Administrator at 973-427-1168 or Boswell Engineering at 201-681-5594 for more information.

Shade Trees always need to be reviewed and then maintained by the town.  This helps to maintain the trees integrity.  We also want to review the overall health of the tree.  For pruning, please call or email Hawthorne Shade Tree at 973-427-5555 Ext. 218 or email HawthorneShadeTree@Hawthornenj.org..  Our town arborist will be out in approximately two weeks to review the situation and provide a remediation plan.  Pruning generally takes place in cooler weather.

There is no lead in the Hawthorne water supply.  Although there are no lead pipes in the Hawthorne water system, the State of New Jersey believes there is a possibility that galvanized pipe (steel coated with zinc) can be a source of lead contamination, and as of 2021, an estimated 45% of the water service lines for Hawthorne Water customers were made of galvanized pipe. Lead could also enter the water from lead fittings and some brass fixtures inside a house. Thirty years of testing water inside homes pursuant to teh federal governmetn's "Lead and Copper" rule has not revealed a lead problem in the Hawthorne water system.

The Hawthorne Water System has no actual lead service lines.  Roughly 45% of the service lines in the system were made all or in part of galvanized pipe, which the State of New Jersey has legislatively defined to be "lead." All customers with galvanized service lines were sent notices on 2/22/2022 via certified mail providing this information. To check whether or not you have a galvanized service line, refer to our inventory, which has been updated to reflect replacement of galvanized lines since 2021.

The Borough's contracted water testing lab can conduct a test for lead  in water drawn from your home at a cost of $75 to the customer.  For more information, call Trish at Agra at 973 989-0010. Other laboratories may also be able to perform this test.

You should contact your familiy pediatrician.  If, for some reason, you do not have a family pediatrician, call the Hawthorne Board of Health at 973-427-4012.

Galvanized service lines will all be replaced by June 30, 2031. A Phase 3 contract for replacement is underway.  A Phase 4 contract for replacement is awaiting NJ-DEP approval to bid.  A schedule for replacement of the remaining lines has not yet been established.   You will receive a notice before the Borough does this work.

The Borough will pay the cost of replacing galvanized service lines - both the Borough's portion from main to curb, and the customer's portion from curb to the meter. The Borough will, however, will raise water rates in order to have the funds to repay debt taken on to pay this cost.  The amount of this rate increase is unknown at this time, until we receive actual bid prices on the line replacement, and find out whether we will receive grants and/or low interest loans to help lower those debt service costs.

If no water has been drawn for six or more hours, then turning on the tap and letting it run for 45 seconds or more would flush out all the water that has been sitting in the pipe. It is when water has had a long contact time with the pipe, sittings or fixtures containing lead that there is a danger of lead leaching ino the water..So water used for drinking or food preparation after flushing the lines this way should have have a risk of lead.

Other steps are: having your water tested for lead, or switching to bottled water for drinking. Some water filters may remove lead, but please read lables on filters to see if they are certified for lead removal.

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development. Contact the Hawthorne Board of Health at 973-427-4012 or your healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure. You can find out more about how to get your child tested and how to pay for it at https://www.state.nj.us/health/childhoodlead/testing.shtml. 

Even if the customer portion of a service lines (from the curb into the house) has been replaced with copper, the Borough portion of the service line (from the main to the curb) may still be galvanized, which would be the reason for the notice.  You can help the Borough ensure the accuracy of its database by callting 973-427-5330 and reporting that your portion of the service line is copper.

No. Replacing any pipoes or fixtures within a building is the responsibility of the proeprty owner.

PFOA ("Perfluorooctanoic acid") and PFOS ("Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid") are two types of a class of man-made chemicals collectively known as PFAS ("per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances") that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabric for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials (such as non-stick cookware) that are resistant to water, grease or stains. They are also used for firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes.

Since completion of new treatment systems in March 2024, no PFAS are detectable in Hawthorne Water.

PFOA and PFOS do not occur naturally. Through one means or another, they have penetrated into the deep underground aquifer from which Hawthorne draws its water, most likely from industrial discharges

The presence of PFAS in the source water for Hawthorne's water system, now removed by the new treatment system, was not due to any action on the part of Hawthorne. These man-made chemicals are ubiquitous in the environment due to their widespread use for many products, and have penetrated drinking water sources throughout New Jersey and the rest of the country.

The DEP "maximum contaminant level" for PFOA is 14 nanograms per liter (= parts per trillion)

The DEP "maximum contaminant level" for PFOS is 13 nanograms per liter (= parts per trillion)

New regulations announced in 2024 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to become effective in 2029 set lower limits on these and other PFAS chemicals. Hawthorne water is now in compliance with these proposed stricter standards.

Test results also show "non-detect" for three dozen other PFAS chemicals not currently addressed by any regulations.

The mandated treatment is not cheap, and most of the cost will be passed onto customers in the form of a series of higher water rates. The cost being passed on to customers has been minimized by using low-interest financing from the New Jersey

Infrastructure Bank, including partial principal forgiveness from that program, and funds being received in settlement of lawsuits brought by the Borough against PFAS manufacturers.

According to the DEP, some people who drink water containing PFOA or PFOS in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their blood serum cholesterol levels, liver, kidney, immune system, or, in males, reproductive system. Drinking water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over many years may also increase the risk of testicular and kidney cancer. For females, drinking water containing PFOA or PFOS in excess of the MCL over many years may cause developmental delays in a fetus and/or an infant.

More information on PFAS in drinking water can be found in the New Jersey Department of Health's drinking water facts (PDF) on the subject.

If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.