Mayor Lucas Awards Shade Tree Commission 20 Year Tree City USA Plaque

Manalapan Townhsip Mayor Andrew Lucas and Shade Tree Commission Chairwoman Beth Ann Fazlibegu received a 20 Year Tree City USA plaque at the on Friday, April 29.

The celebration took place in Durand Park in Freehold. Freehold Township was chosen as the city to commemorate New Jersey Arbor Day, as it has just recently been awarded 30 Year Tree City USA designation.

Astronaut Frank Lateris awarded Mayor Lucas and Fazlibegu a plaque for Manalapan Township in honor of becoming a 20 Year Tree City USA. Mayor Lucas officially awarded the plaque to the Shade Tree Commission at the Township Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 11. 

“This would not have been possible without Louise Lang, the original founder of the Shade Tree efforts here. And I’d just like to thank Joanne and John Basselini for joining us this evening as well,” Mayor Lucas said. “But this really should go to you guys because you’ve done just an excellent job. And on behalf of the Township Committee and our township residents, we want to thank you greatly for your efforts.”

Fazlibegu beamed with gratitude. “We’re very proud and we work very hard and I think we have several members of the group who have put in over double-digits volunteering. Especially Louise, she’s over 20 [years volunteering] now, and we enjoy what we do and we’re happy to do it,” Fazlibegu said. 

The Shade Tree Commission meets once a month at the . The next scheduled meeting is for Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.