Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
Thursday, July 19, 2018
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joanne DiCamillo (regular), Michael Gaffey (regular), Joan Flynn (regular)
Members absent: Emily Griswold (regular), Anne Bing (regular)
Ex-officio members absent: Thomas Degnan, Tree Warden
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:04 P.M.
CLERK’S REPORT
Approval of May17, 2018 meeting minutes: Joan Flynn made a motion to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Michael Gaffey, all present voted in favor. Motion approved.
BUDGET REPORT
Paid invoices: An invoice in the amount of $840 was paid for pruning the Kousa dogwoods at Town Hall and the cherry tree at the police station. An invoice for $960 was paid for pruning two oak trees; one on Hawks Nest Road and the second at the corner of Liberty and Prospect. A balance of $4,350 remains in Contracted Services.
2017-2018 final balance: As of July 18, there was a balance of $6,940 in the Tree Commission budget. Michael Gaffey submitted an invoice for $94.47 for mulch which will be paid from that balance. The remaining balance will not be held over as there are no jobs pending.
The Tree Commission approved budget for FY 2018/2019 is $13,960.
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that arborists have been very busy removing dead ash trees, killed by the emerald ash borer, and dead oak trees killed by several years of defoliation by gypsy moth caterpillars.
OLD BUSINESS
The Kousa dogwood trees at Town Hall, the memorial flowering cherry at the police station, and two oak trees along the shore have been pruned.
The tree warden and the commission members are very pleased with the pruning work and the appearance of the Town Hall dogwoods.
List of young trees - update from members on weeding, chairman’s report on pruning, fertilizing and mulching them.
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that 50% of the maple tree, adjacent to the sidewalk, south of the Ice Cream Shoppe, has died. She reported it to the tree warden and asked him to approve removal and make arrangements as it is located where pedestrians frequently walk.
Pruning – Mrs. DiCamillo sent the list of young trees to Nick Vallas, Bartlett Tree Experts, and asked him to evaluate each one for pruning and crown lifting. After inspecting each tree, Mr. Vallas suggested waiting until fall when the trees are dormant and the arborist can clearly see the branching patterns.
Fertilizing – Mr. Vallas recommended fertilizing the trees with injections of a slow release fertilizer. He noticed signs of stress and loss of vigor in a number of them, probably due to several years of drought. The treatment would improve their health. The cost will be $20 for each of the 35 trees. Dr. Flynn questioned if the treatment was necessary. Mrs. DiCamillo stated that she consulted with the tree warden and could not recall fertilizing the trees at any time for at least ten years. In her opinion, fertilizing would help to strengthen them. She recommended approving the work. Following a discussion, Dr. Flynn and Mr. Gaffey agreed.
Mulching – The 35 trees need a fresh application of mulch. Mrs. DiCamillo will get pricing from contractors for mulching them if Tree Commission members cannot do it. She checked the 4 young trees at Town Woods Park in May. She had understood that the Junior Women’s Club was going to remove the straps and stakes from them last fall but it had not been done. The tree gators were still attached to each one. Mrs. DiCamillo removed the tree gators and the straps but could not get the stakes out. She spoke with Parks and Rec Director, Don Bugbee, about the situation. He volunteered to remove the stakes. All of the trees appeared healthy and there was no evidence of gypsy moth caterpillars on them. She reported in an email to the Duck River Garden Club that the oak tree was in good condition.
Michael Gaffey will mulch the trees.
Mrs. DiCamillo spoke with Ciro Landscaping regarding the possibility of watering new trees.
The stakes should be removed from the new maple tree in front of 46 Lyme Street, and the stakes and straps from the hornbeam tree on Ferry Road. Mrs. DiCamillo spoke with the tree warden who told her he would stop by to look at them.
NEW BUSINESS
Communications from town hall, the tree warden has been notified.
5/22 - 2 Library Lane resident reported a tree about to fall on power lines.
6/4 - 9 Lake Drive resident requested removal of a large pine in front of property.
6/5 - 112 Sill Lane resident reported 2 large dead white ash trees.
6/5 - 10 Ferry Road resident requested planting of new trees to replace 4-5 trees taken down on Ferry Road in 2017. The planting sites of the new trees would be under the power lines. Mrs. DiCamillo followed up with a letter to the resident explaining that the location and tree type would need approval from the tree warden. Mrs. DiCamillo later spoke with the tree warden who stated that he would not approve the planting of tall shade trees under the electrical wires. Smaller ornamentals, such as dogwoods, would be considered but these trees would eventually need pruning for clearance above sidewalks and for street parking and their mature form will not be the normal standard with this type of pruning.
6/8 - 7 Browns Lane resident reported a dead tree in front of property at roadside with large branch hanging over the road.
6/15 - 5 Portland Road resident reported a large old oak tree overhanging power lines and several homes.
6/26 - 50 Grassy Hill Road resident requested action on remaining portion of large tree in front of property after a section was removed by Eversource last year when it fell on power lines.
7/12 - 55 Hawks Nest Road resident requested removal of tree on town right-of-way. The tree was recently trimmed in June following an evaluation by the tree warden and will not be removed at this time.
7/16 - tree warden’s meeting with Eversource regarding their annual plan for the trees in Old Lyme: Mrs. DiCamillo is waiting for a report from the tree warden.
MEMBERS REPORTS
Ornamental cherry at police station - edging and mulching: Michael Gaffey, with help from his grandson, mulched and edged around the cherry tree. Mrs. DiCamillo thanked him for the work.
Michael Gaffey reported that there are a lot of dead trees on the power line right of way on Saunders Hollow Road, and also a large, dead tree branch above the power lines near the road.
ADJOURNMENT
Joan Flynn made a motion, seconded Michael Gaffey, to adjourn the meeting at 5:14 P.M. Motion passed.
Next scheduled meeting will be held August 16, 2018 at 4:00 P.M. in Old Lyme Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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