Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
June 18, 2015
Attendance:
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Anne Bing (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate)
Members absent: Gerry Foster (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Prior to the meeting being called to order, the members walked around the perimeter of the town hall to look at the foundation plants and the trees.
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:24 p.m.
The commission has openings for two members.
Mrs. DiCamillo authorized Joan Flynn to vote in place of Gerry Foster.
Mrs. DiCamillo asked for a motion to add two items to the agenda under New Business: 17 McCurdy Road oak tree, and Route 156 Bike Way and Sound View Improvements Project.
Motion: Joan Flynn made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing to add 17 McCurdy Road oak tree, and the Route 156 Bike Way and Sound View Improvements Project to the agenda under New Business. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report – The minutes of the 4/16/15 meeting were reviewed.
Motion: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn, to approve the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & summary of expenditures YTD
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 6/17/15 the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $4,657.75.
7/1/14 – 6/17/15 Expenditures: Clerk $480, Postage $0, Tree Warden $750, Contracted Services $11,130, $32.25 (materials for posting trees).
Review of 2015-2016 Tree Commission budget: The Board of Finance approved $16,050 for the budget year with $8,000 of that amount in the Contracted Services line item. It will be used for tree trimming and maintenance of the young trees planted in various areas of the town.
Additionally, a new $8,000 line item will added to the public works 2015-2016 budget to be used for tree removals, stump grinding, emergency trimming and storm damage.
NEW BUSINESS
Tree Warden stipend – BOF approved amount 2015-2016 budget: The Board of Finance approved $5,000 to be divided between the Tree Warden and a Deputy Tree Warden.
Tree planting – BOF approved amount 2015-2016 budget: The Board of Finance approved $1,500 for tree planting.
Young trees in town – 2015-2016 maintenance: Mrs. DiCamillo passed around a list of the 32 trees which need to be trimmed, edged, weeded, and mulched to a depth of 2”. Mrs. DiCamillo will review the list and make any changes needed.
Motion: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to post the bid request on the town website. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
17 McCurdy Road, oak tree: An oak tree was tagged for removal. There was a question about the location
of the tree. The tree warden will determine if it is on town property.
Route 156 Bike Way and Sound View Improvements Project: The bike way will begin south of I-95 and extend down Route 156 to Sound View. There will be an informational meeting at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School on June 30 at 7:00 pm. Additional information may be obtained by visiting the town website or calling the Selectman’s Office.
OLD BUSINESS
Lyme Street tree trimming - Bartlett Tree Experts tree trimming: 23 trees on McCurdy Road, 12 trees on Ferry Road, and 20 trees on Lyme Street were trimmed at a cost of $4,110.
Town Hall foundation plantings maintenance - 2015-2016: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mrs. DiCamillo will meet with Burnett’s Landscaping and Sheila Wertheimer this Tuesday at 11:00 am to discuss the project. Ms. Wertheimer recently sold her business to Burnett’s. She will be supervising the job.
Burnett’s will be responsible for maintaining the landscape, including all of the trees, around the perimeter of the building (front, sides, and back) as follows: Summer 2015, weed, edge; Fall 2015, weed, edge, fall clean-up; Spring 2016, weed, edge, mulch where needed, prune and fertilize shrubs.
Town Hall - renovation of foundation shrubs behind the building: Mrs. DiCamillo has been working in the beds for the past month. She is pruning all of the shrubs and pulling the mulch away from the trunks of the trees and spreading it in the beds.
Town Hall tree trimming – an estimate was received from Wilcox Tree Experts for $700 to trim the ornamental trees, maple trees, white pines, the slippery elm, shade trees and corrective pruning to the Japanese maple in the front of the building. The trees will be pruned for structure and form. The trees growing adjacent to the parking spaces and the entrance and exit driveways will have their crowns lifted.
Old Lyme Historical Society tree evaluation – Tom Degnan looked at the maple tree with the dead branches in its crown. He recommends trimming the tree one time to see how it responds. Mr. Degnan will check to see if it is growing on town property.
Eversource’s tree contractors - tree trimming progress: Much of the trimming in town has been completed. Asplundh Tree Experts are trimming south of I-95. A Lyme Street resident contacted Mrs. DiCamillo and expressed concern about the proposed trimming of his tree. He would like be present when the work takes place. She suggested including his request on his permit form before returning it and reported his concern to the tree warden. Mrs. DiCamillo contacted Mr. Degnan regarding several important trees that, in her opinion, should be left alone; the old elm tree at 75 Lyme Street, an elm tree on McCurdy Road, and the Franklinia tree in front of Center School. She asked him to consider the request, and to follow up with the Eversource representatives if he agrees. Lucas Tree Service is trimming north of
I-95.
Police Station overgrown shrubs adjacent to the parking lot – plan for renovation: Mrs. DiCamillo set out photos of the shrubs she took last fall. Emily Griswold showed recent photos. The foundation plantings are overgrown and crowded. The members agreed that the two Pieris japonica and six grasses should be removed. They also recommended pruning the rhododendrons as they are obscuring the view from the windows. The two chamaecyparis at each end of the building are overgrown and should be pruned or removed and replaced. Mrs. DiCamillo will consult with the Duck River Garden Club. Members maintain the bed around the flag pole and several of the shrubs in the front of the building. They also plant annuals in the beds.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Town Woods Park tree planting update – LOLJWC: Emily Griswold reported that fundraising for the project is continuing, with a goal of $10,000. The total budget is $15,000 and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme will be asked to contribute. The project includes renovating the playground, planting trees, and possibly moving the gazebo.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS - none
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday July 16, 2015, 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn, to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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