Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
December 17, 2015
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate)
Members absent: Gerry Foster (regular), Anne Bing (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Guests: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary-Jo Nosal
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
The commission has openings for two members.
Joan Flynn was authorized to vote in place of Anne Bing.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report: The minutes of the 11/19/2015 meeting were reviewed. The vote was tabled until the next meeting because Emily Griswold did not attend the November meeting.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & summary of expenditures YTD: Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 12/2/2015 the balance in the Tree Commission budget was $13,890.
NEW BUSINESS
Hartford Avenue Improvement Project: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal and First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder
The First Selectwoman distributed copies of the proposed plan for Hartford Avenue in Sound View to the members, including descriptions and photos of the trees. The project, which was approved in July, 2015, is designed to enhance pedestrian access by adding sidewalks, new lighting, and trees to make the area more attractive and provide shade. The street trees must be chosen carefully because the area is environmentally sensitive. The project’s landscape designer recommended the following trees: sycamore maple, ginkgo, Japanese zelkova, Japanese pagoda tree, silver linden, and Armstrong maple. Mrs. Reemsnyder and Mrs. Nosal asked for input on the trees from the Tree Commission. Mrs. DiCamillo stressed the importance of planting the right trees for the location, which is sunny, hot, and dry. The trees must also be
tolerant of road salt, and not outgrow their space.
Tom Degnan, tree warden, and the Tree Commission members suggested substitutions for the following trees on the list: ginkgo (females produce and drop messy fruit), Japanese pagoda tree (messy with weak branching), sycamore maple (messy and too wide), silver linden (large crown that will require pruning and prone to attack by aphids).
Members agreed with planting the Armstrong maple (Acer rubrum x freemanii) and the Japanese zelkova. Mrs. DiCamillo recommended “Wireless” or “Musachino”, smaller cultivars, for the zelkova. The following trees were proposed as alternatives: red maple ‘Karpick’ (Acer rubrum), European hornbeam ‘Fastigiata’ (Carpinus betulus, (with a high head), and honeylocust ‘Skyline’, ‘Shademaster’, ‘Moraine’ (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis). All varieties should do well in the location, are more compact and will not require a great deal of maintenance pruning. Mr. Degnan suggested selecting four different varieties, repeating two of them, for a total of six trees. A discussion of the characteristics of these trees followed. Mrs. Reemsnyder and Mrs. Nosal thanked the members for their input.
Present plan for tree planting: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder
The landscape plan shows the new trees along Hartford Avenue would be planted in 8 foot bump-outs incorporated into the new sidewalk plan, and surrounded by grates. Mrs. DiCamillo stated that Tom Degnan would prefer a large mulch ring around the trees rather than grates. The mulch could be surrounded by cobblestones. Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the grates were intended to protect the trees, but final decisions have not been made. Mrs. DiCamillo stressed that the trees would need to be watered regularly, for at least one and preferably two years, which may require hiring a professional. Mrs. Reemsnyder remarked that the Sound View Beach Association may be able to help with watering the trees. Mrs. Nosal replied that a warranty for the trees could be included in the construction plans and be part of the bid.
Review 2016 Landscape maintenance plan for Town Hall – proposal from Burnett’s landscaping for next year.
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that $7,500 total was allocated in the FY July1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 Selectman’s budget for Town Hall landscape maintenance. When she reviewed the proposal from Burnett’s Landscaping for spring 2016, the charge was more than the original amount agreed to last year. Mrs. Reemsnyder and Mrs. DiCamillo will review the proposal with Burnett’s Landscaping. Mrs. Reemsnyder suggested that public works could take care of the leaf blowing in the fall since they blow leaves from the sidewalks and parking lot. Mrs. DiCamillo feels the landscape crew should visit once
a month for maintenance, especially to keep up with the weeding, from June to September.
OLD BUSINESS
Young trees – weed, edge, mulch: Hortus Landscape did a great job, the trees look nice, and are very well mulched.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Deputy Tree Warden – update on position: Tom Degnan wrote a job description. It was reviewed and approved by Mrs. DiCamillo and Mrs. Reemsnyder. Mr. Degnan sent the document to the deputy tree warden candidate who found it acceptable. The deputy tree warden is expected to be appointed in January, 2016. Mrs. Reemsnyder has asked the town attorney to check the state statutes to see if the position can be set up to be filled as needed, instead of being a permanent position that must always be filled.
Police Station – invasive tree seedling in foundation bed
Mrs. DiCamillo showed Mrs. Reemsnyder photos of an invasive tree seedling that should be removed from the foundation planting bed at the Police Station. Mrs. Reemsnyder will ask public works to remove it in the spring.
Review of 2015 goals and accomplishments
The Tree Commission has accomplished its goals for 2015: All of the young trees growing on various roads in town and all of the trees at Town Hall were pruned to improve their structure and to maintain their health. The weeds were removed from around these trees and large round rings of mulch were added. The deputy tree warden position will be filled in January. Planting new trees will take place in the spring.
Mrs. DiCamillo suggested evaluating the trees in Hains Park for pruning work in early 2016.
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, January 21, 2016, 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn, to adjourn the meeting at 5:23 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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