Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
May 19, 2011
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Gerry Foster
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Members absent: Tom Degnan (ex-officio), Anne Bing (Regular), Emily Griswold (Regular), Sheila Wertheimer (Regular)
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:12 PM.
Joan Flynn was authorized to vote by Mrs. DiCamillo
Guests: Susan Stotts (CL&P), Jeremy McGonigal (Asplundh Tree Experts Co.)
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 4/21/11 meeting were reviewed.
MOTION:
Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Gerry Foster, to accept the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported as of May 18, 2011, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $20,858.56.
NEW BUSINESS
Susan Stotts, of CL&P, and Jeremy McGonigal, of Asplundh Tree Experts, attended the meeting to discuss CL&P’s tree trimming schedule. Trimming will be done along Route 1 up to Four Mile River Road, and along Route 156 from I-95 north up to Route 82 (including side roads) in Lyme. Tree limbs less than 10 feet below cables will be trimmed and “risk trees” will be removed. Ms. Stotts reported that the DPUC now mandates that letters be sent to property owners along the trimming routes to inform them of the work, so no house visits will be made. Property owners may contact CL& P to request a light trim, or to refuse trimming.
Sill Lane – CL&P Project
CL& P will be trimming and removing trees along Sill Lane later this year, to prevent power outages. This is a special project, determined by the number of hours without power. The trimming will be more extensive and inclusive than the customary procedures. CL& P will be going house to house to inform the residents.
Because, this is the first time that this standard of trimming will be followed, Mrs. DiCamillo stated that the Tree Commission may send out letters to the residents before the project commences.
OLD BUSINESS
Spring tree planting
Sill Lane
61 Sill Lane (Tolderlund) – a red maple was planted at a cost of $737.50.
68 Sill Lane (DiCamillo) – two white dogwoods were planted at a cost of $575.00.
Town Hall
A hornbeam tree was planted at a cost of $712.50.
The trees were purchased from Millane Nurseries in Cromwell. River End Landscaping transported them from Cromwell to their various sites in Old Lyme and planted them. The above figures represent the price of the trees, transportation, soil and amendments, mulch, stakes and labor for planting.
Stump grinding
The stump grinding has been completed on Lyme Street, Griswold Avenue and Sill Lane.
Old Shore Road & Osprey Road – tree removal
A dead maple tree, marked for removal by the Tree Warden, was removed.
Ferry Road Update
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that there were very high tides during the winter that reached the plants near the fence and washed away some of the mulch there and on the bank of the river.
MEMBER REPORTS - none
OTHER BUSINESS
Spring mulching of young trees – TC members
Mrs. DiCamillo will purchase the mulch this weekend; it will be available for pick up at her house.
The trees should be mulched by Memorial Day.
Chairman’s Meeting with Tree Warden & First Selectman
Mrs. DiCamillo met with Tom Degnan, Tree Warden, and Tim Griswold, First Selectman, to discuss tree trimming and removal by the Public Works Department. In keeping with the procedures stated in the tree ordinance, Public Works should have authorization from the Tree Warden and/or the First Selectman before trimming, pruning, or removing any trees or shrubs on town property. This procedure has not been followed and community members have been questioning their recent activities.
Evaluation of Trees, Shrubs in front of Town Hall
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that the azaleas and Kousa dogwoods need pruning and fertilizing.
Mrs. DiCamillo pointed out to Selectman Griswold that the young maple tree planted at the curb and the Japanese maple have too much mulch piled around them.
REMINDER - Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Gerry Foster, to adjourn the meeting at 5:25PM. Motion unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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