Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
October 17, 2013
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Anne Bing, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M.
The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 8/15/13 minutes and the 5/16/13 amended minutes were reviewed.
MOTION: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to accept the May minutes as amended.
All present voted in favor, motion carried.
MOTION: Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Emily Griswold, to accept the August minutes as presented.
Joan Flynn, Emily Griswold, and Joanne DiCamillo voted in favor. Gerry foster abstained as she had not attended the August meeting. Motion carried
MOTION: Mrs. DiCamillo asked for a motion to add an item to the agenda. Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, to add an item to the agenda under Communications. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 10/16/2013 the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $13,295.
Board of Finance Request for Budget Proposal
Mrs. DiCamillo is preparing the budget for FY 2014/2015 as requested by the Board of Finance. The budget was discussed and the members agreed to request the same amount as last year, $17,050.
MOTION: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to request $17,050 for the FY2014/2015 budget. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
CL&P-upcoming tree trimming project
CL& P has contracted with Lucas Tree to perform tree trimming beginning at the end of this month (October). Trimming will be done in the following areas: Route 156/Shore Road from Four Mile River Road to Cross Lane including Oak Ridge Forest and Point O’Woods; Four Mile River Road; Hatchetts Hill to Flat Rock Hill at Brown’s Lane; Brown’s Lane from Flat Rock Hill to Mile Creek; Woodridge Hills and Holly Lane.
Library Lane & Elm Street removal of spruce trees
Tom Degnan, Tree Warden, has posted three trees for removal on Library Lane. One of the trees is dying.
There are several trees on Elm Street that are being considered for removal.
Town Hall- Kousa Dogwoods
The Kousa dogwoods in front of Town Hall are dropping fruit on the sidewalk requiring clean up each morning.
The trees have outgrown the area. Jonathan Parker from Yankee Tree Services has been asked to evaluate the trees to determine how much pruning they can sustain without losing their outline.
OLD BUSINESS
39 Sill Lane – Dead spruce tree
The dead spruce tree has been removed.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Communication:
1 Miller’s Way-request for tree evaluation – the homeowners have requested the removal of a town tree which has a cavity at the base of the trunk. Tom Degnan will look at it.
79 Grassy Hill Road-request for tree evaluation – the homeowners reported a town tree that is leaning toward their house. Tom Degnan will check the tree.
Annual Tree Commission report
Mrs. DiCamillo is preparing the annual Tree Commission report for FY 2012/2013. This year’s Town Report will focus on the year’s storms - Hurricane Sandy, Blizzard Nemo and the ice storm that followed. Public Works Director, Ed Adanti, estimates that the storms damaged about 15% of the town trees. Conifers took an especially heavy hit from Nemo. The emerald ash borer has been found in New Haven County, but so far there are no reports of it here.
Town Clerk: file 2014 meeting calendar by November 1
Mrs. DiCamillo will file the meeting calendar. The proposed 2014 meeting dates are: January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18.
REMINDER - Next Meeting ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 4 P.M. at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 P.M. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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