Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
January 16, 2014
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Anne Bing, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster
Alternate members absent: Joan Flynn
Ex-officio members present: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Guest: Bonnie Reemsnyder
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:13 P.M.
The commission has openings for two members.
Mrs. DiCamillo welcomed First Selectwoman Reemsnyder.
MOTION: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to move Old Business to the beginning of the agenda. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 12/19/13 meeting were reviewed.
MOTION: Anne Bing moved, seconded by Gerry Foster, to accept the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 1-9-2014 the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $9, 950.00
Invoices
Invoices total: $2530. They included bills for the Tree Commission Clerk, Bartlett Tree Company and the Tree Warden stipend.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion-methods to improve communication with the community
Mrs. DiCamillo expressed her appreciation for the cooperation and willingness of Ed Adanti and Public Works to lend a hand with different projects.
Mrs. DiCamillo summarized the contents of a (copied) letter that she received from Library Lane resident Carolyn Harvey in November. She had written an email and the original letter to First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder to protest the way the hemlock trees in the front of her property were trimmed by the town crew.
Mrs. Reemsnyder continued the discussion stating that, after receiving the email, she called Ed Adanti who immediately went to the homeowner’s property to see the trees and to talk with the homeowner. He reported back to Mrs. Reemsnyder who followed up with an email response to Carolyn Harvey.
Mrs. DiCamillo stated that she always phones the homeowner directly when the commission is planning trimming work in front of a property and asked what procedures are followed by Public Works.
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated there is a procedure to notify homeowners when the town crew is planning work on roadside trees, but it is not a written one. She suggested putting the procedures in writing. In that way, everyone will understand what is expected. She offered to start the process by writing the first draft of a trimming policy. She also shared with the commission copies of a form that she had drafted and could be used as a notification.
Mrs. DiCamillo would like to see communication increased within the town departments so everyone is aware of (any) tree trimming or removals that are scheduled. In the past, Public Works has used improper pruning techniques and has randomly removed shrubs in/around the town. About five years ago they attended a tree pruning instruction workshop conducted by the State of CT DEEP, Department of Urban Forestry.
The members reacted enthusiastically to Selectwoman Reemsnyder’s suggestion that possibly an interested member of the town crew could be given additional training and become a specialist on pruning/trimming. Tom Degnan stated that the risk to public safety and liability are the most important considerations when trees are trimmed. Mr. Degnan volunteered his assistance with helping the town crew to improve their arborculture skills.
Review-tree trimming procedures outlined in the tree ordinance
Mrs. DiCamillo read the tree trimming procedures outlined in the tree ordinance.
156-5. Tree planting, maintenance and removal.
C. Town and private contractors.
There is a line in the ordinance that requires prior authorization from the Tree Warden or First Selectman when Public Works is considering planting, pruning, trimming, shaping, fertilizing, and/or partial or complete removal of trees and shrubs on town property. This procedure is not always followed. A discussion followed on how to implement this procedure. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested that a list of streets where work will be taking place could be compiled once a month. Tom Degnan recommended asking Ed Adanti to help create a practical notification system. Mrs. Reemsnyder suggested that Ed Adanti could email Mrs. DiCamillo with the list. Mr. Degnan volunteered to be the recipient.
Chair’s meeting with CL&P and town officials-future tree trimming in Old Lyme
Mrs. DiCamillo, Mrs. Reemsnyder, Mr. Degnan and Dave Roberge met with CL& P reps Susan Stotts and Tom Kaspryzak. CL&P will be returning to town to trim and remove trees on several roads, including Whippoorwill Road, Buttonball Road and Rowland Road. Trees marked for removal by CL&P will be inspected by the tree warden and posted. They are currently working on a three year cycle. An 8-foot wide swath, from “ground to sky”, will be cleared on each side of the electrical wires. A letter will be sent to homeowners prior to the trimming with instructions on how to communicate with CL&P. If there are objections, a letter from the resident must be received within 10 days.
A phone number, 1-800-286-2000, is included for those who have questions.
Planning Commission’s updating of existing regulations for Public Improvement
Mrs. DiCamillo reviewed the Planning Commission’s existing regulations and noted four sections where the Tree Commission could make suggestions. One section covers planting along proposed roadways that will eventually become town roads. The commission has experienced issues with maintenance and improper planting and staking in the past. Selectwoman Reemsnyder has recommended to the Planning Commission that input from the Tree Commission should be obtained when the regulations for New Subdivisions are updated. She suggested that planting plans be reviewed by the Tree Commission for their suggestions. If a road in a subdivision is built to town standards (thus making it eligible to become a town road in the future) a planting plan should go before the Tree Commission.
Mr. Degnan recommended that the contractor be responsible for maintaining and protecting the health and integrity of existing trees during construction activities if there are plans to have a road turned over to the town.
Mrs. Reemsnyder will scan and email the relevant sections to Mrs. DiCamillo who will forward them to the Tree Commission members.
Invasive Bamboo
Selectwoman Reemsnyder attended a workshop last year about the problem of invasive bamboo. Golden Bamboo must be contained by planting it inside a barrier or container. If not contained it will spread quickly and may encroach on neighboring properties. It is very difficult (and expensive) to remove.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Hall- proposal to trim Kousa Dogwoods
Mrs. DiCamillo met with Jonathan Parker (Yankee Tree Service) onsite to discuss his pruning proposal for the dogwoods. Mr. Parker’s estimate ($850) to prune the three dogwoods included raising lower branches, thinning the crowns, removing broken and dead branches and reducing the tops. The trees are beautiful and the goal will be to retain the attractiveness while preserving their health. The trees have been pruned many times in the past but have really grown very large for this particular area. They were planted by the Duck River Garden Club in memory of Ella Grasso. There will be a discussion about the future of the trees at the next meeting.
Mrs. DiCamillo expressed concern about the chamaecyparis in front of the new meeting hall and the white birches in front of the old building. The birches are leaning toward the building and could be a liability in a storm. The six chamaecyparis will eventually reach 15 ft., too large for the site. She met with Mr. Degnan onsite to ask his opinion. He agreed they should be removed. Members should look at the trees and prepare to discuss them at next month’s meeting.
DEEP – A new bill effective 10-1-13 concerning arborists and tree wardens
The new bill generally requires tree wardens to complete certain coursework administered by the DEEP after being appointed or reappointed and to keep records of the coursework. It exempts tree wardens who successfully completed similar coursework and provide evidence of completion upon request.
Tom Degnan is exempt from the new requirements.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Communication: Commission’s Letter – Carolyn Harvey 17 Library Lane
Mrs. DiCamillo sent a letter to Carolyn Harvey explaining that the commission was not aware of the tree trimming in front of her property.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 4 P.M. at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Anne Bing, to adjourn the meeting at 6:08 P.M. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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