Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
April 17, 2014
Attendance:
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Anne Bing (regular), Gerry Foster (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate)
Members absent: Emily Griswold (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:00P.M.
The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 2/21/14 meeting were reviewed.
A quorum of members who attended the February meeting were not present to approve the minutes. The vote is postponed until May.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 3/17/14 the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $7,225.
NEW BUSINESS
75 Lyme Street – new fence – Dr. Awwa plans to install a 4.5 foot high iron fence in front of his house (similar to the iron fence across the street). He has applied for approval from the Historic District Commission. Mrs. DiCamillo is the HDC liaison representative who will work with him on the installation. She will consult with the tree warden, Thomas Degnan, about the location of the posts and the steps to follow to protect the roots of a town tree, an old elm, growing in close proximity to where the fence is proposed. She will provide information on protecting the tree during construction.
Huntley Road – trees posted for removal
A resident reported to Mrs. DiCamillo that a number of trees, including several on the town right of way have been marked with red string, which would indicate the intention to remove them. The trees were not marked by the Tree Warden or Mr. Adanti from Public Works. Members are asked to drive by the area to see the trees.
High School entrance road plantings
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that many of the original plantings are dying/have died. They were watered regularly during the summer they were planted but there was no follow up the following year. Some were damaged by heavy snow, ice, salt and sand. Mrs. DiCamillo questioned John Rhodes, Regional District 18 Facilities Director, if there is a plan to replace them.
Southwick Commons – The Historic District Commission requested more landscape screening for the apartments. Three member representatives met with the developer. Mrs. DiCamillo was asked for plant suggestions. She provided a written list of native trees and shrubs that should adapt well to the conditions of the site.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Hall Tree Trimming – The Kousa dogwoods and the River birch have been trimmed, and the white birch tree has been removed. Mrs. DiCamillo will trim the chamaecyparis (cedar).
Planning Commission’s Regulations for Public Improvement
The updated regulations were approved at a Town Meeting in March and are available on the Town website.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS –none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. DiCamillo spoke with a young man who expressed interest in joining the Tree Commission. The meeting time would need to be changed to 5pm to accommodate him. Mrs. DiCamillo asked the members to consider this change.
Mrs. DiCamillo attended the Master Gardeners Outreach program to see if anyone in the new class is from Old Lyme and would be interested in joining the Tree Commission.
Communication:
12 White Oak Trail – Peter Chamberlain wrote a letter about a neighbor’s tree that is leaning over a fence very close to his house. Mr. Chamberlain feels the tree is dangerous. The tree warden was consulted and explained that the tree is the neighbor’s responsibility. It is on private property.
Tree trimming notification – the draft form was returned to First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder with the members’ suggestions. Mrs. DiCamillo also wrote a note asking her if the draft of written policy for Public Works is completed.
CT Preservation News publication – preserving street trees
There is an article about preserving street trees in Connecticut’s towns and cities. It has “before” and simulated “after” photos of how neighborhood streets would appear without their trees. CL&P has a new policy of an 8 foot “no grow” zone around trees and has been doing drastic tree trimming and removal.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 4 P.M. at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Ann Bing, to adjourn the meeting at 4:55 P.M. All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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