Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
March 17, 2016
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
Present: Alan Miezejeski, Deputy Tree Warden
Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. The commission has openings for two members.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report: Approval of 2/18/2016 meeting minutes: approval was postponed due to lack of a quorum of members who had attended the meeting.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & summary of expenditures YTD: Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 3/1/16 the balance in the Tree Commission budget was $11,220 with $5,200 remaining in the contracted services line item of the budget.
NEW BUSINESS - none
OLD BUSINESS
Hartford Avenue Improvement Project:
The Tree Warden and the Tree Commission submitted a list of specific varieties of trees to the Selectwomen for planting. A large ring of mulch was recommended for around each tree. Grates were not recommended. Mrs. DiCamillo has not yet been informed of the final plans regarding the trees and the mulch or grates.
Town Hall Landscape maintenance:
Mrs. DiCamillo attended a meeting with First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Burnett’s Landscaping to discuss the landscape maintenance plan for spring 2016 and July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Burnett’s Landscaping will use Plant-Tone and Holly-Tone to fertilize the plants and shrubs this spring. A pre-emergent weed preventative will be applied to suppress weeds. All plants and trees will be mulched. The gardens will be weeded regularly throughout the season. The Japanese knotweed growing behind the building and in a few spots in the beds will be treated once again this year.
Hains Park tree trimming and removals:
Tom Degnan met at Hains Park with several contractors last week. Two of them submitted quotes for the work to prune dead wood and remove water shoots on park trees, remove two dead/dying maples near the fence, and one overhanging the docks, and grind the stumps of the trees that are removed. The quotes, one for $4,365 and the other for $6,100, also included pruning some trees and shrubs overhanging the sidewalk on McCurdy Road.
Motion: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to accept the lower quote upon approval of the tree warden. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
A group of small hemlocks in the park are in decline and appear to have woody adelgid. They probably should be removed. Mrs. DiCamillo will review the Tree Commission budget balance with Mr. Degnan.
McCurdy Road invasive shrub pruning: see above
Town Woods Park tree planting project with JWC and Duck River Garden Club:
Mrs. DiCamillo contacted River End Landscaping, Emily Griswold LOLJWC member, and the president of the DRGC with a few dates for planting during the week following Easter. River End Landscaping is able to plant the trees on March 30 but we may need to find alternatives for the trees each group selected. Availability at Millane’s Wholesale Nursery is limited. The list includes: three red maples and a red oak: acer rubrum Karpick 2” caliper, acer rubrum Autumn Flame 2” caliper, acer rubrum Red Sunset 3” caliper, and quercus rubra Borealis 2.5 caliper. The chairman will contact both groups to discuss alternatives.
Alan Miezejeski mentioned that Pride’s Corner Farms in Lebanon may have the trees. He will check with them, get prices, and contact Mrs. DiCamillo.
Motion: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Gerry Foster, to accept a similar variety as a replacement for the maple acer rubrum Karpick if it is not available. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Deputy Tree Warden’s report concerning evaluations of trees on Mile Creek Road
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that Mr. Degnan will check the trees that need trimming and removal on Mile Creek Road as reported by Deputy Tree Warden Alan Miezejeski last month. The members selected Whippoorwill Road for the next evaluation. Alan will start the inspection this month and follow the same procedure.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Communications
Letter: Response from Chairman DiCamillo to Robert Dunn, Chair, Parks & Recreation Commission regarding relocation of basketball court. (See end of minutes for copy of letter).
Email: from Paul Gianquinto, Co-Chairman BHPIC, regarding ZBA Special Meeting to review application for approval of three variances for the boat house project. Mr. Gianquinto thanked Mrs. DiCamillo for her letter explaining the Tree Commission’s recommendation to preserve a valuable shade tree and relocate the basketball court. There will be a ZBA Special Meeting on April 5, at 7:00 p.m. to consider the variances needed for the project, including the new location of the basketball court.
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 14, 2016, 4:00 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room.
ADJOURNMENT
Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
**************************************************************************************************
February 28, 2016
Dear Robert Dunn and to all copied recipients of this email,
The Tree Warden and the Tree Commission members ask you to consider these facts.
Trees are a valuable natural resource within our community and the Tree Commission and Tree Warden are charged with preserving and protecting them as stated in the Old Lyme Tree Ordinance and the CT State Statutes.
The maple tree that is growing adjacent to the driveway in Hains Park is a valuable asset to the park and arguably its most beautiful tree, the only large shade tree growing between the boathouse and Route 1. When passing by I have observed cars parked under it and teenagers gathered on the lawn beneath it, enjoying the coolness of its shade. I myself have appreciated watching the crew activities from its shady spot when my daughter was a member of the high school team and the Blood Street Sculls.
Many times trees are considered obstacles to construction projects. The easy solution is to remove and replace with new trees as opposed to finding alternatives. This is not a desirable alternative for the Hains Park trees. It will be 20-30 years before the young trees reach maturity and provide the benefits that are described above. With that in mind, we asked for an alternative location for the basketball court that would not impact town trees.
The Tree Commission and the Tree Warden agree that the new design, with the basketball court near the rest rooms, seems to be a very good compromise. Saving the trees will be more pleasing aesthetically and the basketball court will become more user friendly with the improved access to all who use the park. Parents will welcome a new recreational area within close proximity to the beach.~They can watch their small children play safely, without the worry of crossing the driveway.~Furthermore,~if the pavilion is eventually approved, handicapped visitors will be able to view all of the court activities from
a nearby location
The safety concerns you raise regarding flying basketballs seem to be a moot point at this time. To my knowledge, the pavilion has not been approved. The location and dimensions of the pavilion have been discussed but not yet confirmed. As for the well head, a barrier can be created easily by planting layers of shrubs around it.
The new location is proposed for an open space that is frequently used for parking trucks and trailers which is frankly unattractive. It seems more practical and orderly to utilize the area next to the boathouse for parking and loading/unloading the equipment as shown in the revised site plan.~It seems that a hard surface court and two hoops will not obstruct views of the lake.
The BHPIC representatives mentioned at the Annual Town Meeting that the revised plan for the basketball court was received favorably by the Board of Finance, Planning Commission and the Rogers Lake Authority. Although you were not present for the Parks and Recreation meeting, the representatives commented that the members asked lots of questions and all of their questions were answered. The meeting went smoothly, however, there was no decision. The Zoning Commission has approved it. The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approved it at their January 26 meeting.~
So it appears, with this new request to remove the trees, you are overlooking the judgement of many other people who have reviewed the new plan and found it to be a good one.
Let me be clear, it is not our intention to undermine your commission’s authority in Hains Park or to stop the boathouse project and the improvements proposed for the park, yet, we have a responsibility to the members of this community to uphold the articles of the Old Lyme Tree Ordinance, “to promote the public good as it is benefited by the healthful effects, the aesthetic contributions, and the environmental qualities provided by our trees and shrubs.”
Our goal is not to choose between the basketball court and the trees but rather to find a compromise that works for everyone. I have extended invitations to you and your commission in emails and through the BHPIC representatives, to discuss this issue at a joint meeting. An invitation to join us for a site walk was extended by Mr. Degnan.
We understand that ZBA has approved one variance for maximum height, and a second variance for set-back. We are hopeful that they will review the new court location with all of these facts in mind and approve a third variance.~~
Thank you for considering our views.
Joanne DiCamillo, Chair
Old Lyme Tree Commission
NOTICE: Messages to or from the Town of Old Lyme domain are subject to the Freedom of Information statutes and regulations.
| 
