Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
April 21, 2016
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Anne Bing (regular), Gerry Foster (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate), Emily Griswold (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Absent: Alan Miezejeski, Deputy Tree Warden
Guest: Diane Blackwell
Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. The commission has openings for two members.
Mrs. DiCamillo welcomed Diane Blackwell from the Lyme-Old Lyme Senior Center.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation of new landscaping plans for the Senior Center front gardens
Diane Blackwell, Lyme-Old Lyme Senior Center Board representative, presented a permit application with a new landscape design plan for the Senior Center front gardens, including the creation of a Memorial Garden.
In Phase 1 several shrubs will be removed and the gardens will be cleaned up. In Phase 2 the bluestone walkway to the building will be lifted and the base underneath will be leveled before the stones are repositioned. Phase 3 will complete the project with the installation of a Memorial Garden in the center garden near the flagpole. It will include inscribed stones or bricks as a tribute to those who have contributed to the Senior Center over the years. Landscaper Drew Kenny will be advising the center on the project and will design the new garden. The new design will add benches to each side of the Memorial Garden. Plantings of feather read grass, inkberry, spruce, and dogwood will also be included.
Motion: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold, to approve Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the new landscaping plan. All present voted in favor, motion passed. Phase 3 plans are not completed. Diane Blackwell agreed to email a copy of the plan with the proposed plant list to Mrs. DiCamillo before they proceed with installation. The Tree Commission members will review the plan. Mrs. DiCamillo will contact Ms. Blackwell with the outcome. She thanked her for attending the meeting and presenting the plans.
OLD BUSINESS
Hartford Avenue Improvement Project – Mrs. DiCamillo reported that the plan includes two species of the five tree species that the commission recommended – the Armstrong maple and thornless honey locust.
A total of six trees will be planted in groups of three. The chairman spoke with Mr. Degnan who prefers to see a third species in the plan. The project committee has decided to use grates around the trees, as opposed to a large ring of mulch as suggested by the commission and Mr. Degnan. Ms. Reemsnyder informed Mrs. DiCamillo that the town crew will be responsible for a weekly cleaning of the grates and for watering the trees. On Monday April 23, at 7:30 p.m. there will be a public information session about the project at the Shoreline Community Center at 39 Hartford Avenue, Old Lyme.
Town Hall landscape maintenance – Burnett’s Landscaping will commence with the spring maintenance when Ms. Reemsnyder contacts them and after the building has been power washed. Mrs. DiCamillo plans to finish pruning the foundation shrubs behind the building.
Hains Park tree trimming and removals – the tree removals and trimming work have been completed and approved by Tom Degnan, Tree Warden. The ZBA held a special meeting to review an application from the Boathouse Committee requesting three variances, including the new location of the basketball court. Mrs. DiCamillo spoke in favor of moving the basketball court to save the trees at the meeting. The variances were approved.
McCurdy Road invasives pruning – the pruning has been completed.
Town Woods Park tree planting project with JWC and Duck River Garden Club – Mrs. DiCamillo reported that the water was turned on at the park and the five trees were delivered on the morning of April 19. Four trees were planted in the park. The weather was pleasant and everything went very well. One new maple tree was planted in front of the Town Hall. Mrs. DiCamillo and Emily Griswold were present at both sites while the trees were planted.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report:
Approval of 2/18/2016 meeting minutes: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Emily Griswold, to approve the minutes. Anne Bing, Emily Griswold and Joanne DiCamillo voted in favor. Gerry Foster abstained as she had not attended the meeting. Motion passed.
Approval of 3/17/2016 meeting minutes: Anne Bing made a motion, seconded by Gerry Foster, to approve the minutes. Anne Bing, Gerry Foster, Joanne DiCamillo, and Joan Flynn voted in favor. Emily Griswold abstained as she had not attended the meeting. Motion passed.
BUDGET REPORT
Balance & summary of posted expenditures: Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of 4/5/16 the balance in the Tree Commission budget was $11,038.
Review invoices for upcoming expenditures – Mrs. DiCamillo discussed the costs of purchasing, shipping and planting for the new tree in front of Town Hall, and the trees donated to Town Woods Park by the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club and the Duck River Garden Club. The cost of the oak tree with planting and shipping was more than the DRGC budgeted. The commission members agreed to cover the balance of $45 for the oak and to share the cost of shipping with the JWC. The total will be $145. Ms. DiCamillo will discuss this decision and seek approval from the Finance Director. She will advise the clubs and the members of the outcome.
Motion: Gerry Foster made a motion, seconded by Anne Bing, to approve $145 to supplement the budgets of the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club and the Duck River Garden Club for costs incurred with planting new trees on town property. Anne Bing, Gerry Foster, Joanne DiCamillo, and Joan Flynn voted in favor. Emily Griswold recused herself. The motion passed.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS - none
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on May 9, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall in the main meeting hall to consider the final approval for the Hains Park boathouse expansion. Mrs. DiCamillo encouraged the members to attend the meeting.
Emily Griswold stated that the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club’s next big project will be to replace the playground at Town Woods Park. The club would like to incorporate the playground into the grove of trees so that it will be shaded. Ms. Griswold would like the tree warden or deputy tree warden to assess the health of the trees in the park as some have dead branches which may pose a hazard.
REMINDER
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, May 19, 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 5:15 p.m. All present voted in favor. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
NOTICE: Messages to or from the Town of Old Lyme domain are subject to the Freedom of Information statutes and regulations.
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