Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
July 21, 2011
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Gerry Foster, Emily Griswold
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Ex-officio members present: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Members absent: Anne Bing (Regular), Sheila Wertheimer (Regular)
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A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:15 PM.
Guests: Chris Aiello (CL&P), Pete Wicklund (Asplundh Tree Experts Co.)
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report - The minutes of the 5/19/11 meeting were reviewed.
MOTION: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, to accept the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked for a motion to move Old Business to the next item on the agenda.
MOTION: Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Gerry Foster, to move Old Business to the next item on the agenda. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
CL&P - Sill Lane Special Project - Mrs. DiCamillo welcomed Chris Aiello, from CL&P, and Pete Wicklund, from Asplundh Tree Service, to the meeting. Mr. Aiello spoke about CL&P’s proposal for “enhanced” tree trimming on Sill Lane #1, Mill Lane, Riverdale and Binney Roads due to a large number of power outages on their circuits. Branches will be trimmed to 10 foot clearance on each side with 20 foot clearance above the wires. In addition all hardwood brush under the lines will be cleared. Hazardous trees on the town right-of-way will be targeted for removal and, only with prior approval, hazardous trees on private property that could impact utility wires. CL&P will be contacting adjoining property owners directly to explain the project and to seek permission. Mr. Aiello stated that CL&P wants to insure the reliability of electrical service to its customers in the area.
Mrs. DiCamillo is a resident of Sill Lane. She expressed her concern about the extent of the trimming and wanted to know why Sill Lane #1 has been targeted for “enhanced trimming” when Saunders Hollow and Sill Lane #2 were trimmed a few weeks ago using the standard trimming practices. She stated that, to her knowledge, the two power outages from last summer on Sill Lane#1 were not caused by trees failing on the town right-of-way. Rather, the sources for the outages were from a tree on private property that suddenly uprooted during a prolonged period of rain and fell on the power lines and utilities box directly across the road. Additionally, the second outage was caused by a fire that started in the utilities box on the north green and spread to a nearby tree and along the ground.
Mr. Degnan stated his concern about the company’s practice of “skinning” trees. This method of trimming, while it provides a large clearance area from the wires, is not good for the health of the tree and is aesthetically ugly. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested a more friendly approach should be communicated in the standard form letter sent by CL&P to property owners notifying them of tree trimming. She commented that certain wordage could be interpreted as intimidating or threatening if a property owner fails to give permission for tree trimming/tree removal. Mrs. DiCamillo requested a list of all the trees designated for removal before the project begins and stated would like to evaluate each of them onsite with Susan Stotts, CL&P SE CT rep. The Tree Commission may send letters to all of the affected
property owners before the project begins, explaining the enhanced trimming project.
Mr. Aiello stated that he has the ability to identify the number and locations of outages that have occurred over a 3 year period. He agreed to get in touch with Mrs. DiCamillo with that information. The project is scheduled to begin in the fall.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance - Mrs. DiCamillo reported as of June 30, 2011, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $10,622.95.
The Tree Commission total budget for FY2011-2012 is $11,010. $9,000 of that amount was approved for contracted services.
NEW BUSINESS ~~
64 Lyme Street – There was a request by the tenants to trim the tree in front of the flower shop. Mr. Degnan evaluated the tree and suggested contacting Wilcox Tree Experts to trim it.
63 Lyme Street- Tom Degnan, Tree Warden, requested that a Norway maple next to the barbershop be evaluated by Wilcox Tree Experts. Mr. Wilcox stated that it had an old, structural split that runs up the side of the trunk 15 ft. He feels it will become more hazardous with time. The Tree Warden will post the tree for removal.
52 Lyme Street- Mrs. DiCamillo reported that one of the elm trees in front of Town Hall is infected with Dutch Elm disease and has been posted for removal by the Tree warden. The tree has been treated annually to prevent the disease for several years now and appeared to be healthy earlier this year. Mrs. DiCamillo contacted Larry Dvorsky from The Care of Trees and met with him onsite last week. He confirmed the disease and noted that he had inspected all of the elms on the list before treatment in the spring and noticed only one small dead branch in the infected elm. It appeared to be a minor problem. There was no evidence of the disease. He informed Mrs. DiCamillo that his company treats all of the elms on the New Haven green, at Yale University and in several more shoreline towns. He indicated all of these
clients subscribe to a more balanced program for their elms, including fertilization along with inoculation especially when they are growing in a highly trafficked area. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested adding fertilizing to the plan for the remaining elm next spring.
MEMBER REPORTS – none
OTHER BUSINESS
Tree Gator purchase - Mrs. DiCamillo reported that she purchased a Tree Gator for the new tree in front of Town Hall, and Mrs. Tolderlund also purchased one for the new maple tree planted in front of 61 Sill Lane. By utilizing the drip irrigation method provided by tree gators, moisture is provided more evenly to the root ball of a newly planted tree.
Watering new trees – Mrs. DiCamillo has been regularly watering the new tree at Town Hall, in addition to the two dogwoods on Sill Lane.
Spring mulching of young trees – TC members – Mrs. DiCamillo noted that weeds are more prolific during this period of the summer and reminded members to check their assigned trees. Mulch should be spread around all of the trees by this time.
Members’ discussion - 10 year anniversary ceremony- 9-9-11 – The members decided not to mark the 9/11/01 anniversary with a ceremony.
REMINDER - Next Meeting ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Emily Griswold, to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 PM. Motion unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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