Township Manager Joseph M. Hartnett announced today that he has appointed Stephen M. Schuckman of Caldwell, New Jersey, as arborist for the Township of Montclair. Mr. Schuckman will serve in the position as a consultant.

“After carefully evaluating our Shade Tree operations since the departure of former Township Arborist Kevin Ward, Director of Community Services Stephen Wood and I have determined that it is in the best interests of the operation at this time to fill this position on a consultant basis,” Manager Hartnett stated.

Mr. Schuckman is a State of New Jersey Certified Tree Expert (CTE), as well as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. He presently serves as the consulting arborist for the Borough of Glen Ridge and the Township of Bloomfield. He is also a former Parks Superintendent for the Township of Montclair and the former Horticultural Manager at Van Vleck Gardens in Montclair. Mr. Schuckman will be compensated on an hourly basis, in an amount not to exceed $17,475, for the balance of 2008, Township Manager Hartnett pointed out.

"We look forward to working with Mr. Schuckman in advancing the Township's shade tree program and operations," Manager Hartnett concluded, adding "he is a highly qualified and highly regarded tree expert."