Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
February 18, 2016
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Anne Bing (regular)
Members absent: Gerry Foster (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Present: Alan Miezejeski, Deputy Tree Warden
Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:04 pm. The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report: Approval of 11/19/2015 meeting minutes: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold to approve the minutes. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Approval of 12/17/2015 meeting minutes: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing to approve the minutes. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Approval of 1-21-16 meeting minutes: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold, to approve the minutes. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & summary of expenditures YTD: Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 2/2/16 the balance in the Tree Commission budget was $11,406. $800 was paid to Hortus Landscape for mulching and weeding young trees. There is $5,200 left in the contracted services line item of the budget.
NEW BUSINESS
2016 Meeting Schedule – review and vote to approve: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold, to approve the 2016 Meeting Schedule. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Elect Chairman: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to elect Joanne DiCamillo as chairman of the Tree Commission for 2016. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Hartford Avenue Improvement Project: Mrs. DiCamillo shared photos from a local shopping center where young trees were planted and grates surround them. Litter was clearly visible near the exposed trunk and under the grates. The commission members expressed concern that the proposal to use them for the street trees on Hartford Avenue will create a maintenance problem. The commission supports the tree warden’s preference of creating a large bed of mulch around the trees.
Town Hall Landscape maintenance: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder has scheduled a meeting with Burnett’s Landscaping to discuss the Town Hall landscape maintenance for spring 2016.
Hains Park tree trimming and removals: Tree Warden Tom Degnan has marked two trees within the park for removal and identified trees that should be trimmed. The woodland north of the boathouse is on private property. Several trees adjacent to the fence are dead or decayed.
The BHPIC has reviewed the revised plan for the basketball court with town commissions, boards and committees. The alternate plan was received “favorably” by all of them. The Board of Finance and Parks and Recreation Commission members also received it “favorably”. The chairman of Parks and Recreation was absent from that meeting. The plan was presented at the January Annual Town Meeting. The last presentation will be in March when the ZBA will consider a variance because the new location is within the setback zone.
McCurdy Road invasive shrubs pruning: Mr. Degnan reported a cluster of euonymus shrubs on the Ames’ property that are hanging over the sidewalk and interfering with snow removal. Mrs. Ames does not object having them pruned.
Town Woods Park tree planting project with JWC and Duck River Garden Club: Chairman DiCamillo will check with Millane Nursery for pricing and will confirm a spring planting date with River End Landscaping. Four trees will be planted in Town Woods Park; three native maple trees and one native oak tree. One maple tree will be planted in front of Town Hall by the Tree Commission. The LOL Junior Women’s Club and the Duck River Garden Club have agreed to water the trees in the park throughout the spring, summer and fall months.
Deputy Tree Warden update on evaluations of trees on Mile Creek Road
Alan Miezejeski, Deputy Tree Warden, has evaluated the trees on Mile Creek Road (4.2 miles).
- Just past the Nearly New Shop, bittersweet vines are hanging on the trees, one is an ailanthus, an invasive species.
- On the south side of the road, just after the railroad bridge there is a 12 inch diameter dead sugar maple. It is a hazard and should be removed.
- A very large sugar maple, about six feet in diameter, located between 30 and 36 Mile Creek Road, is in poor condition and is a hazard. The power lines run through it. Mrs. DiCamillo commented that this tree should be reported to Eversource. It is their responsibility to remove it.
- At 59 Mile Creek Road there is a 50 foot tall black locust leaning toward the road. It will take down the powerlines if it falls because of its height.
- Some trees on the causeway crossing the Black Hall River are in poor health.
- At the 1.1 mile point there is an 18” sugar maple showing signs of decay.
- Near 110 Mile Creek Road there is an 18” black cherry tree leaning over the road, it contains several 4” diameter dead branches.
- At the junction of Rowland Road and Mile Creek Road, there are two decayed, half-dead sugar maples which pose a hazard. The trees should be removed.
- At 145 Mile Creek Road (mile 2.1) near Brown’s Lane, there is a 60 foot tall, very hazardous, dead tree. It should be removed. It is on the opposite side of the street from the utility wires. There are several other trees in the area that also need attention (at 145, 146, and 147 Mile Creek Road) but the dead tree should be the first priority.
- At 230 Mile Creek Road there is a maple tree showing signs of internal decay.
Mrs. DiCamillo thanked Alan for evaluating the trees and sharing this information with the commission. She asked him to prioritize the list and email it promptly to the Tree Warden, Mr. Degnan.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Lyme Street DOT Tree removal: The DOT will be removing a decayed tree on near the south entrance driveway of the Bee & Thistle Inn.
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, March 17, 2016, 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold, to adjourn the meeting at 4:52 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
| 
