Minutes of the Old Lyme Tree Commission meeting held at Old Lyme Town Hall on June 19, 2014 at 4PM.
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The meeting was called to order at 4:03 P.M. by Joanne DiCamillo, Chairwoman.
Regular members present: Anne Bing, Joanne DiCamillo~
Alternate member present: Joan Flynn.
Regular members absent: Gerry Foster, Emily Griswold,
Ex-officio member: Tree Warden: Thomas Degnan
Commission Secretary: Martha Hansen
Mrs. DiCamillo asked for a motion to authorize alternate member, Joan Flynn, to vote as a regular member - so moved.
CLERK'S REPORT - Approval of April 18, 2014 meeting minutes
A motion was made by Joan Flynn to approve the April minutes as presented. Anne Bing seconded, all voted in favor. The motion was approved. The May meeting was cancelled.
BUDGET REPORT~
Mrs. DiCamillo reported, as of 6-13-14, the total balance in the General Fund was $2764.00.
May expenditures:
$2250.00 was used~by Public~Works for tree removal and stump grinding.
One half ($750.00) of the Tree Warden's stipend was allocated to~Thomas Degnan.
OLD BUSINESS
75 Lyme Street - new fence - Mrs. DiCamillo met with Dr. Awwa to explain the ways to protect the trees growing on the town right-of-way during the construction of his new fence. She gave him an outline on tree protection and the steps to follow during excavation, including information from her files and suggestions from the Tree Warden. The new fence has been installed.
Route 156 - trees topped north of Old Lyme Marina - Residents reported their concerns to Mrs. DiCamillo regarding several trees along Route 156 that were topped (their crowns cut off). The work was not done following the guidelines of acceptable standards for tree trimming. Mrs. DiCamillo called the tree warden and asked him to contact the State of CT DOT and CL&P to determine who was responsible for the trimming. He followed up with Mrs. DiCamillo in early May and reported that Bartlett Tree Company did the work for one or more landowners in the Talcott Farms Association. Greg Gallup from the DOT was planning to visit the area to determine if the trees are growing on state land and will contact Mr. Degnan with his findings. Mrs. DiCamillo asked Mr. Degnan to notify her with the results.
NEW BUSINESS~
Academy Lane - Kousa dogwoods - Three Kousa dogwoods, located on the south side of the lane behind The Village Shops commercial building, may be growing on the town right-of-way. They were planted by a neighbor.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked the tree warden and the members to look at them.
Lyme Street tree trimming - Tennett Tree Service - Tennett was contracted by the phone company to trim several trees on Lyme Street and on Route 1 where they are coming in contact with the wires. Problems with service have been reported by residents and the wires are 'leaking' in a few spots. There was a positive response for the project from the majority of Lyme Street residents. Mrs. DiCamillo viewed the trouble spots with Tony Wilber, company representative. She visited with the residents who would not give permission for trimming and was able to negotiate a compromise that satisfied both parties. The work has been completed.
Southwick Commons - entrance road - The Lyme Academy College will assume responsibility for removing the invasive vines from the mature trees on the north side of the entrance road (Keller’s Way), including two chestnut trees at the bend in the road.
Lyme Street - Old Historical Society tree removal - A cedar tree, growing in the front of the Old Lyme Historical Society headquarters (former Grange) was removed last month without a permit from the tree warden. Mrs. DiCamillo advised Mr. Griswold that any new landscaping plans should be reviewed by the commission and the tree warden.
MEMBERS' REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
New members - Two vacancies remain on the commission.
Tree removals - The tree warden has identified trees for removal on Mile Creek Road and in the Rogers Lake area.
Tree planting – Due to ongoing budget constraints, the tree warden will not permit tree planting again this year. Budget funds in the line item 'Contracted Services' are being used by Public Works for tree removals, tree trimming and stump grinding.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is July 17, 2014 @ 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Anne Bing made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 PM. Joan Flynn seconded and all present voted in favor. The motion was approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne DiCamillo, Chairwoman~
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