Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
December 19, 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
Gerry Foster arrived at 4:30.
Anne Bing left at 4:30.
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M.
The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 10/17/13 minutes were reviewed.
MOTION: Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to accept the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 11/18/13 the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $13,295.
Budget Request
Mrs. DiCamillo requested $17,050 for FY 2014/2015 (the same amount as last year).
Carryover 2012-2013
Mrs. DiCamillo requested a carryover of unspent funds from the previous year, but was told by the Finance Director that carryovers are no longer allowed. If additional funds are required they must be requested from the Board of Finance.
NEW BUSINESS
DEEP – A new bill effective 10-1-13 concerning arborists and tree wardens
The new bill requires tree wardens to complete certain course work, and to keep records of the course work, before being reappointed by the municipal government. If tree wardens do not meet the requirements, town government may appoint a new tree warden.
OLD BUSINESS
CL&P tree trimming project
The trimming has been completed by Lucas Tree.
Library Lane & Elm Street removal of spruce trees
Six spruce trees have been removed by Bartlett Tree Services.
Town Hall- proposal to trim Kousa Dogwoods
Jonathan Parker submitted a proposal for $850 to trim the dogwoods in front of Town Hall in order to reduce the trees’ encroachment on the building and sidewalk. Mrs. DiCamillo will meet with Mr. Parker at Town Hall to see exactly what he plans to do.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Communication:
Letter – Carolyn Harvey 17 Library Lane
Carolyn Harvey wrote a letter to Selectwoman Reemsnyder, with copies to the Tree Warden and the Tree Commission, about the severe pruning done by the town crew to hemlock trees on her property. Mrs. DiCamillo read Mrs. Harvey’s letter to the commission. It stated hemlock branches facing Library Lane were pruned back to the tree trunks, 10 feet up from the ground, and the trees are now disfigured.
Neither the Tree Commission nor the tree warden were aware of the pruning.
After receipt of the copy, Mrs. DiCamillo contacted Selectwoman Reemsnyder, who~indicated she forwarded the letter to Ed Adanti, Director of Public Works, and also responded to Mrs. Harvey with an~apology for the pruning. She did not indicate that the tree warden and the tree commission were not involved. Following a discussion among the members, a decision was made to send a letter to Ms. Harvey pointing out that~the commission was unaware of the~Library Lane pruning.~
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MOTION:~Joan Flynn~made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold to authorize Mrs. DiCamillo to write a response to Mrs. Harvey’s letter. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will be notified prior to mailing the letter. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 4 P.M. at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 P.M. Motion carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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