Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
December 21, 2017
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ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Anne Bing (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate) Emily Griswold (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Tom Degnan, Tree Warden
Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:14 p.m. The commission has openings for three members.
Mrs. DiCamillo authorized Joan Flynn to vote as a regular member.
CLERK’S REPORT
The minutes of the October 19, 2017, meeting were considered.
Motion: Ann Bing made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn, to approve the minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
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BUDGET REPORT
The Tree Commission balance as of 12/4/2017 is $14,250.00
Wilcox invoice $1,800~– for tree pruning work identified by the tree warden at Cross Lane Park where a new playground will be installed. Mrs. DiCamillo approved the expenditure.
Wilcox invoice $2,050~– for tree pruning work at eleven locations approved and arranged by the tree warden. The work will be done at the same time as several removals in the area. Mrs. DiCamillo approved the expenditure.
NEW BUSINESS
2018-2019 proposed budget: Following a discussion the members voted to reduce funding for the following budget line items:
Clerk reduced $100 to $1100, postage cut by $100 to $200, contracted services reduced from $10,000 to $8,000.
The total proposed budget is $13,800.
Motion: Joan Flynn made a motion, seconded by Ann Bing, to approve the budget request of $13,800. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
12 Ferry Road - 2 dead maple trees were reported to town hall and Mrs. DiCamillo. They were removed by Eversource.
Cross Lane Park – Mrs. DiCamillo received an email request from First Selectwoman Reemsnyder for approval to use Tree Commission funds for pruning work where a new playground will be installed and to arrange for the work to be done at the same time as the removals. Mrs. DiCamillo agreed and the work has been completed.
OLD BUSINESS
Police Station landscaping update: Mrs. DiCamillo requested two quotes from Burnett’s Landscape for pruning, weeding and mulching the foundation shrubs along the west side of the building and two mugo pines in the front bed. The second estimate was for enlarging the bed around the memorial cherry tree. The tree’s roots are exposed in the lawn and could be damaged from a lawn mower. The tree will be pruned in the spring after flowering. Mrs. DiCamillo discussed the proposals with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder who recommended waiting until spring. The members agreed. The Duck River Garden Club will continue with their renovations of the front bed around the flag pole next spring.
Dogwood trees at town hall – Mrs. DiCamillo met onsite with Mr. Parcak, the Facilities Manager, in October to further discuss his request to remove the dogwood trees. There was a follow-up discussion with the tree warden, and an email letter to Mr. Parcak from Mrs. DiCamillo
Mrs. DiCamillo suggested installation of a root barrier to prevent the roots from growing under the building in the future and, since no one in town hall is inclined to sweep the front sidewalk, to ask the cleaning service to sweep the seasonal berries into the beds.
Mrs. DiCamillo, who had discussed the situation previously with the tree warden, reported the results of the meeting with Mr. Parcak. Mr. Degnan commented that he is not inclined to cut down trees that are mature and healthy. They both decided to explore other options and to obtain the advice of professionals before making a final decision. Mrs. DiCamillo wrote an email to Mr. Parcak, copying Mrs. Reemsnyder and Mr. Adanti stating that the mission of the Tree Commission is to preserve and protect town trees, and will seek the advice of professional arborists to evaluate the trees before any action is taken. Mrs. DiCamillo will also obtain some estimates. She also spoke with the president of the DRGC and advised her that the trees may be removed.
101 Lyme Street (Route 1) - maple tree on DOT right-of-way update: Mrs. DiCamillo provided the homeowner with the name of the contact for the DOT in southeastern CT. Greg Gallup visited the site, inspected the tree and marked it for removal. The homeowner was very pleased with the quick response.
41 Hartford Avenue - tree warden’s letter to Sound View Commission chairman regarding trees wrapped with lights: The tree warden wrote a letter to Frank Pappalardo, the chairman of the Sound View Commission, letting him know that the lights were wrapped too tightly around the trees and should be loosened. The chairman responded that he spoke with the residents and asked them to remove the lights.
53 Breen Avenue – a permit application was filed by the resident to remove a maple tree which was rotted. The tree was not on town property and the owner arranged to have it removed.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS – Emily Griswold
Cross Lane Playground – the tree trimming has been done. The playground will be installed this winter so it will be ready for spring.
Town Woods Park - new trees update: the trees are looking very healthy. The DRGC did a great job watering them over the summer. The LOLJWC watered them until the water was turned off for the season.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Chairman’s Annual Town Report: Mrs. DiCamillo wrote and submitted the report which included photos of spring tree planting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Emily Griswold made a motion, seconded by Joan Flynn, to adjourn the meeting at 4:54 pm. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
NOTE: January 18, 2018~meeting is cancelled.
Next scheduled meeting will be held~February 15, 2017~at 4:00 P.M. in Old Lyme Town Hall
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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