Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
July 19, 2007
Attendance:
Members present: Anne Bing, Joanne DiCamillo, Joan Flynn, Gerry Foster, Emily Griswold, Adela Wilmerding.
Members absent: Tom Degnan, Pat Moll.
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Treasurer’s Report
Joanne DiCamillo reported that the 6-31-07 balance was $4,050.71. Expenses for the month included a $400 bill from Wilcox for tree trimming and a $75 payroll expense. Joanne will make a written request to the Town Selectmen to carry over $4,050.71 and apply it to the 2007-2008 budget. She also noted that John Roach spent 34% more than his budget last year with the additional expenses deducted from the commission’s 2006-2007 unused budget balance.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Hall Nursery
Joanne DiCamillo reported on difficulties with the hoses for watering. She requested that members monitor the hoses that are soaking the plantings, especially the middle or second hose section. She reported that she had pruned one of the transplanted azaleas and nearby dogwood as well as requesting that an access path be made through the straw barricade to make watering easier.
Town Hall Expansion
Joanne DiCamillo reviewed her list of proactive steps for tree care and protection to be implemented this past spring, prior to/during the Town Hall construction.. These suggestions were discussed with John Forbis and landscape architect Stephen Wing and included in the bid specs. She is very unhappy with the failure of the contractor to carry out these steps, the lack of concern and with the resulting damage to the trees. She related her discussions with John Forbis, Steve Wing and Save A Tree regarding the elm behind Town Hall and the white birch in the front, as well as her recommendation that Tree Warden, Tom Degnan, be on site for the root cutting of both trees.
38 Lyme St.
In response to Dr. Catalbiano’s concerns, Joanne DiCamillo suggested proper mulching procedures for the tree at his curbside and to monitor how the mulch withstands erosion without placing pavers around it.
Conservation Committee Questionnaire
Joanne DiCamillo asked members for any new ideas for the Year 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development Questionnaire. She recommended that members visit the Town Of Old Lyme’s website
and view the Conservation Commission’s webpage to read the 2000 plan. Members should contact Joanne with any input for the conservation before the August 1 deadline.
MEMBER REPORTS
Gerry Foster was interested in members’ thoughts on the plantings at the Old Lyme Shopping Center. Adela Wilmerding read an article about the threatening invasiveness of Tree of Heaven.
OTHER BUSINESS
June 20 Tree Conference
Joanne DiCamillo reported that the Tree Conference was outstanding. Members that attended agreed that the in-the-field pruning was very informative. Members can contact Joanne DiCamillo for useful phone numbers and websites in the state of CT.
Weeding and Mulching
Joanne DiCamillo asked members to check their assigned trees for weeds and mulch.
Nursery Watering Schedule
The schedule is as follows:
July 16 – 31: Joan Flynn
August 1 – 15: Emily Griswold
August 16 – 31: Anne Bing
September 1 – 15: Gerry Foster
September 16 – 30: Adela Wilmerding
October 1 – 15: Pat Moll
October 16- 31: Joanne DiCamillo
November 1 – 15: Gerry Foster
REMINDER
Joanne DiCamillo announced that the August meeting is cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 4 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk
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