Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
February 19, 2015
Attendance:
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Anne Bing (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Gerry Foster (regular)
Members absent: Joan Flynn (alternate)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 1/15/15 meeting were reviewed.
Motion: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing to approve the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & Activity
Mrs. DiCamillo requested a budget report from the Finance Director last week, including invoices posted and total remaining balance. She did not receive one. Although requested, we haven't had a budget report since November.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Hall Tree Trimming
Received quote from Yankee Tree Service, but all the trees were not included.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked Mr. Parker to include three more trees.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked for a motion to add an item to the agenda under Any Other Business
Motion: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Gerry Foster. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Lyme Street, Ferry Road, McCurdy Road, Cross Lane Fire Station tree removal bids
Iselin Tree Service, Wilcox Tree Experts, and Yankee Tree Service submitted bids. Iselin Tree Service,
the low bidder, was awarded the contract. The work will be done when the weather permits easy access.
Lyme Street, Ferry Road, McCurdy Road tree trimming – Bartlett Tree Experts will do the work when weather permits.
Town Hall, Senior Center landscape maintenance bids – Mrs. DiCamillo met with representatives from several landscaping companies at the sites to discuss the projects. Only one company submitted a bid for the work. The quote greatly exceeds the amount First Selectwoman Reemsnyder included in her budget request for next year. After a long discussion the members agreed that the bid was not excessive for the amount of work that needs to be done. Mrs. DiCamillo will discuss the matter further with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder.
Permit application for tree removals-Pet Connections
Pet Connections would like to build a no-kill animal shelter near the present Old Lyme Animal Control and Shelter. Several large pine trees will need to be removed to accommodate the shelter. Mrs. DiCamillo will contact tree warden, Tom Degnan with the information.
Chairman's report on meeting with CL&P, tree warden and town officials – Mrs. DiCamillo, First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, Tom Degnan, David Roberge, the town’s CL& P liaison and a rep from Lucas Tree Service met recently to discuss tree trimming in town. The work will take place from May-August on the north side of I-95, including Route 156 north to the Lyme border, Bill Hill Road, Town Woods Road and on the west side of Rogers Lake. Representatives will be visiting residents with information and permitting forms.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Persimmon Tree – Hains’ Park
Anne Bing visited Hains’ Park and located a tree she feels could be the persimmon. It is located on the north side of the boathouse, is choked with vines and has a lot of dead branches.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Communication
7 Oak Ridge Drive- A request was received for an evaluation of an oak tree. Mrs. DiCamillo gave the information to Mr. Degnan.
Request for tree warden information – Mrs. DiCamillo was contacted by a person who is interested in becoming a tree warden in a neighboring town. He asked about the amount of the tree warden's stipend. Currently, Mr. Degnan’s stipend is $1,500. Apparently, this is much lower than the amounts budgeted in surrounding towns.
Request for a tree removal on Brighton Road – Tom Schellens, Academy Lane, stopped by the meeting to request the removal of a tree on Brighton Road. He brought photos and a letter with him. Branches from the tree regularly fall to the road, creating a hazard. Mr. Schellens called CL&P because the tree is very close to pole #670. CL&P evaluated the tree earlier in the month and contacted the town for permission to trim it. Mr. Schellens feels it is a definite threat to public safety and should be removed. Mrs. DiCamillo will contact the Mr. Degnan. Emily Griswold volunteered to visit the location and report back to Mrs. DiCamillo with her assessment.
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday March 19, 2015, 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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