Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
September 21, 2017
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. A quorum was not present.
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate)
Members absent: Anne Bing (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Gerry Foster (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
CLERK’S REPORT
Approval of the April and July 2017 meeting minutes was postponed until the next meeting.
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BUDGET REPORT
Balance:~Mrs. DiCamillo reported a sum of $16,050 in the total Tree Commission budget, as of 9/5/2017.
NEW BUSINESS
Trees reported to Town Hall
45 Sill Lane - The homeowner reported a dying maple tree on town ROW. The tree warden inspected the tree and posted it for removal.
101 Whipporwill Road – The resident reported a tree that was leaning precariously after losing a limb. The tree warden was notified.
41 Hartford Avenue - Mrs. Reemsnyder contacted Mrs. DiCamillo on August 7 to inquire about the possibility of health issues that could impact two newly planted trees. The homeowners had wrapped the trunks and branches tightly with mini solar lights. A formal complaint about the lights was received by the chairman of the Sound View Commission. Mrs. DiCamillo expressed her reservations about decorating young trees with tightly wound lights so soon after planting and before they become established. She explained the lights would certainly become an issue if they remain on the trees for an indefinite period of time and cause girdling which can contribute to their decline. She stated that the required permit application had not been filed with the tree commission or the tree warden. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested contacting the
homeowners, ask them to remove the lights and, following the tree ordinance guidelines, file a permit application. Subsequently, the tree commission and the tree warden will review it and contact the owners with their decision. Mrs. DiCamillo has not heard back from Mrs. Reemsnyder. She will contact Mr. Degnan, Tree Warden.
146 Four Mile River Road - The resident inquired about two trees that were posted and spray painted with X. Mr. Degnan responded that he posted and marked the two trees for removal by Eversource. Only town trees were marked.
16 Four Mile River Road - The resident reported a tree branch hanging over the town ROW. The tree warden was notified.
451 Shore Road - A resident expressed concern about trees with removal notices on Four Mile River Road and Shore Road. The tree warden, Mr. Degnan, contacted Eversource and asked them to postpone removal. He spoke with the homeowner, will consider his concerns, and after reevaluating the trees, will follow up with the homeowner on his course of action.
Tree reported to Mrs. DiCamillo
A parent left a message expressing concern about a tree growing at Cross Lane softball field.
Mrs. DiCamillo responded the following day and left a message asking for more information.
OLD BUSINESS
39 Center Beach Avenue - Mr. Degnan met with the homeowner, inspected the large oak tree and found it healthy. A few dead branches hanging over the road need pruning. There was no need to remove it.
Chairman’s report: The president of the DRGC contacted Mrs. DiCamillo and provided her with an update of the club’s progress at the Police Station with redesigning the garden bed surrounding the flag pole. Although the two overgrown Alberta spruce trees are still in the ground, the club would like to move ahead with removing them, design a new garden plan and complete the project this fall.. Mrs. DiCamillo advised the president to seek the help of Public Works with the removals as soon as possible and shared some ideas for new plantings.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Town Woods Park: Emily Griswold reported that she watered the four trees behind the playground in May and June, DRGC members watered and weeded in July and August and members of the Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s club are watering in September through the end of the season.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mail: Vicki Urbowicz reported that she has picked up large dead tree limbs on Rowland Road. Several more, in the area of number 43, are still hanging above the road. The tree warden was notified.
Dimitri Tolchinski filed an application for tree removal at 53 Breen Avenue.
Daniel Lucente, 4 Homestead Circle, requested removal of a dying tree by his driveway and mailbox.
Mrs. DiCamillo will follow up with the residents and report the trees to the tree warden.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is October 19, 2017 at 4:00 P.M. in Old Lyme Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne DiCamillo, Acting Clerk
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