Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
March 17, 2011
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster, Anne Bing, Sheila Wertheimer
Members absent: Tom Degnan (ex-officio), Joan Flynn (Alternate)
Guest: Jesse Gagan
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:10 PM.
Mrs. DiCamillo welcomed Sheila Wertheimer to the Tree Commission.
Emily Griswold introduced Jesse Gagan, who may be interested in joining the Tree Commission.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 2/17/11 regular meeting were reviewed Gerry Foster asked to have one correction made under Member Reports: Doug Glowicki stated that the I-Tree software was available for purchase by the town but did not suggest the town purchase it.
MOTION:
Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to accept the minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported as of 3/9/11, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $22,038.56.
FY 2011 – 2012 Tree Commission approved budget
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that the Contracted Services portion of the Tree Commission budget was cut from $24,000 to $9,000 by the Board of Finance. Contracted Services covers the costs of tree removal and trimming, elm treatment, stump grinding, mulching and watering. In past years these services have cost an average of $11,000. Mrs. DiCamillo spoke with First Selectman Griswold who suggested that she could submit a request to carryover the difference from the FY2010-2011 balance.
NEW BUSINESS
Route 156 – CL&P tree Trimming
Susan Stotts notified Mrs. DiCamillo that CL&P will be trimming trees, from Halls Road north along Route 156, through Lyme.
Old Shore Road – CL&P tree removal
A tree across from 20 Old Shore Road lost some limbs in a storm and has caused power outages. Susan Stotts contacted Mrs. DiCamillo and stated that she was going to tag the tree for removal. Mrs. DiCamillo looked at the tree and was not convinced it should be removed. She suggested contacting the adjoining homeowner before removal.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked Tree Warden, Tom Degnan, to evaluate trees for trimming and removal on Old Shore Road.
Care of Trees – Elm Tree fungicide treatment proposal
Care of Trees submitted a proposal to treat 6 elm trees with fungicide to prevent Dutch Elm Disease, at a cost of $610.
MOTION:
Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Emily Griswold, to authorize the expenditure of $610 to Care of Trees for the fungicide treatment of 6 elm trees to prevent Dutch Elm Disease. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Spring Tree Planting
Mrs. DiCamillo asked Tom Degnan to stake the tree planting locations near 68 Sill Lane (2 dogwoods) and 61 Sill Lane (1 red maple). She also asked him if there is room to plant 2 hornbeam trees in front of Town Hall. She is waiting for a response.
The members evaluated the locations on the list of suggestions for tree planting at the February meeting. The locations were discussed and carefully considered. The decisions follow:
- McCurdy Road northwest of Duck River: the area borders the Duck River, is used as a fire truck turnaround and under overhead utility wires. Decision: remove from list.
- Tantummaheag Road near the bridge: this area is frequented by children, a young tree may be damaged.
Decision: remove from list.
- 74 Mile Creek Road: the homeowner removed a large number of trees recently.
Decision: remove from list.
- The lot at the end of Buttonball Road near Route 156 is presently for sale. Decision: remove from list.
- Cross Lane and Champlain Road: last year the town removed street trees at the homeowner’s request The homeowner cleared several more trees. Decision: remove from list.
- Smith Neck Road: the stone walls are very close to the road, limited space to plant trees.
Decision: remove from list.
Lymes’ Senior Center: property owned by Old Lyme and Lyme, maintenance and watering may be an issue. Decision: may be revisited at a later time.
Members are asked to revisit the following areas:
- On the east side of the police station: a small ornamental tree or a shrub may work.
- Cross Lane: recreation area: the town crew, reportedly, is removing invasives around the basketball court.
- 34 Wychwood Road and the corner of Flat Rock Hill Road
- Whippoorwill Road near Jadon Drive, and also near the McCulloch farm
- Bus Barn on Four Mile River Road, trees might be planted to camouflage the new construction.
The discussion will continue at the next meeting.
Stump Grinding
Mrs. DiCamillo received a total cost estimate of $1500 for stump grinding (including cleanup) from Ciro Landscaping:
- Lyme Street (1) $150
- Griswold Avenue (3) $550
- Sill Lane (3) $800
Anne Bing reported that Middlesex Tree Company ground some stumps for her for $100 each, cleanup not included. Mrs. DiCamillo will contact them.
Lyme Street Tree Removal
The dead tree across from LACFA has been removed by CL&P.
MEMBER REPORTS – no reports
OTHER BUSINESS
Spring mulching of young trees – TC members
The mulching needs to be done by Memorial Day. As in the past, Mrs. DiCamillo will purchase mulch from Old Lyme Landscaping.
Joanne DiCamillo
- Sill Lane and Saunders Hollow Road Green: 1 weeping cherry
- 62 Sill Lane: 1 sugar maple
- Sill Lane: 1 tupelo
- 80-1 Lyme Street: 1 sugar maple
- Lyme Street, Children’s Learning Center: 1 weeping cherry
Emily Griswold:
- Lyme Street, Firehouse: 2 Kousa dogwoods
- Lyme Street, south of #64: 2 ornamental pears
- 110 Mile Creek Road: 2 red maples
- Old Shore Road & Buttonball Road: 1 red maple
Anne Bing:
- Ferry Road, Lyme Regis: 2 weeping cherries
- McCurdy Road & Route 156: 3 honeylocusts
Gerry Foster:
- Lyme Street, Center School: 1 Franklinia
- Lyme Street, Memorial Town Hall: 1 Japanese Tree Lilac
- Lyme Street, south of Ice Cream Shoppe: 1 sugar maple
- Lyme Street, #6: 1 Carpinus
Joan Flynn:
- Rogers Lake Park: 1 Kousa dogwood
- McCurdy Road & Johnnycake Hill Road: 3 Kousa dogwoods
Sheila Wertheimer:
- Cross Lane Firehouse, front: 2 ornamental cherries
- Route 156, Police Station: 1 ornamental cherry
REMINDER - Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Anne Bing moved, seconded by Sheila Wertheimer, to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 PM. Motion unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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