Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
August 20, 2009
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Gerry Foster, Emily Griswold, Adela Wilmerding
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Members absent: Tom Degnan (ex-officio), Anne Bing (regular), Pat Moll (alternate)
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.
Joan Flynn was authorized to vote in place of Anne Bing and Adela Wilmerding (who left at 5pm).
Welcome Guest: Kristopher Armstrong from Kenerson Group will speak about ArcView, GIS and a Tree Inventory
Kristopher Armstrong, who works in software development at the Kenerson Group, gave a slide presentation showing how a Tree Inventory is done using ArcView with Kenerson’s Tree Works software. The Tree Works software is integrated into ArcGIS Desktop (versions 9.1 and higher) and ArcPad. It has a mobile component that will run on a PDA or Tablet PC, and a check-in/check-out function that can be used to synchronize data collected in the field with the Town’s master database in ArcView.
The person collecting the tree data would bring a battery-operated PDA or Tablet PC into the field and enter the information. At the end of the day, the data would be downloaded into the Tree Inventory database at Town Hall, automatically updating it. Tree Works Basic uses the maps and aerial photos already in the Town’s GIS system, so the Tree Inventory would provide another layer of information in ArcView. Tree information (species, size, special features, defects, etc) and maintenance information can be customized to suit the needs of the town. Tree Works can create and track planting sites and has an automated tree appraisal calculation. Old maintenance records can also be entered into the system, so a full record can be created. All sorts of reports can be generated using ArcPad – species,
condition, diameters, etc. The Tree Works Professional version contains a component that can be used to log service requests and generate work orders.
FEMA will accept the information for its purposes (replacing trees damaged by a storm/natural disaster) if the trees are evaluated by consulting arborists or the Tree Warden before and after a storm.
The cost of the software and PDA are as follows (hiring someone to go out in the field and collect tree data is extra):
:
- $5,000 - Tree Works Basic software (with a license for one PC, additional licenses are $1,000 each)
- $450 - ArcPad software (cost of one license for a PC, and unlimited licenses for PDAs or Tablets)
- $400 – approx. cost of a PDA (Hp iPAC recommended, Palm Pilot not compatible)
- $1,600 – One day of training (a webinar and some field data collection training)
The price of Tree Works Basic includes one year of maintenance. After the first year a maintenance contract can be purchased for $650 per year, this includes all available upgrades - a good idea if the Town upgrades to a new version of ArcView. The town would not have to purchase a maintenance agreement every year.
Tree Works Professional costs $7,000 and contains the Service Request and Work Order portion of Tree Works. Mr. Armstrong recommended starting with the Basic version until a significant amount of data is entered into the system. The Town could upgrade to the Professional version later for about $2,000.
The Tree Commission members thanked Mr. Armstrong for his excellent and informative presentation. A discussion took place on the pros and cons of Tree Works and ArcView. Martha Hansen passed out samples of the Tree Inventory and reports generated by the Excel Tree Inventory sample provided by Dana Whitney. The discussion will continue at the next meeting.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of 6/18/09, amended version containing Pat Moll’s comments, were reviewed. Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn to accept the minutes. All present voted in favor.
The minutes of the 7/16/09 regular meeting were reviewed.
Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn to accept the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor.
Budget Report
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that there was a balance of $9,500 from FY2008-2009. She spoke with the First Selectman and requested a $6,500 carryover to be used for a Tree Inventory.
OLD BUSINESS
Ferry Road Fire Well- update
Ciro Landscaping weeded and mulched the area a few weeks ago. All the plants are doing well. The black-eyed Susans and Joe Pye Weed are blooming. More planting of grasses and black-eyed Susans will be done in September on the bank and the “finger” area.
Town Hall Landscaping - update
The new plantings at Town Hall were watered for the first time this morning utilizing the soaker hoses with the timers. The plants are doing well. Mr. Griswold reported that the trees and shrubs on the perimeter were watered by the Town Crew.
Beckwith Lane -tree trimming request around street light
When Joan Flynn checked the tree after the meeting on July 16, it had been trimmed.
NEW BUSINESS - none
MEMBER REPORTS
Town Tree Inventory
Mrs. DiCamillo thanked Gerry Foster for inviting Kristopher Armstrong to do the presentation on the Tree Inventory. It was very informative. Joanne DiCamillo will invite Ruth Roach to attend the next meeting to discuss using ArcView and Tree Works for a Tree Inventory. Gerry Foster will follow up with her before the meeting with an update on our inventory progress.
OTHER BUSINESS
Letter from Ferry Rd. resident M. Nichols
Madeleine Nichols, of 3 Ferry Road (first house on the north side across from the church), wrote a letter to Mrs. DiCamillo expressing her concern that the old sugar maple on her property could be damaged by the church corner construction project. She asked that the town accept responsibility for removal if the tree is damaged and later dies. Mrs. DiCamillo called her to explain that everything possible will be done to protect the tree, but that there can be no guarantee. She suggested that Mrs. Nichols contact the First Selectman with her concerns. The Chairman will forward copies of her letter to Sarah McCracken and Janet Sturges, who are on the Church Corner Construction Committee.
Sill Lane – permit application request for tree removal from Eileen Coffee
The Chairman and the Tree Warden were notified by Town Hall that Sill Lane resident Eileen Coffee reported a dying tree on the north end of Sill Lane. Mr. Degnan looked at the tree and agreed that it is dying. The tree has been marked for removal.
8 Knutson Road – resident’s request for tree removal
Mrs. DiCamillo and Tom Degnan were notified by email from Town Hall that a dying tree was reported from the resident at 8 Knutson Road. Mr. Degnan designated that tree for removal also.
REMINDER
Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Emily Griswold moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 PM. Joan Flynn seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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