Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
October 18, 2007
Attendance:
Members present: Anne Bing, Joanne DiCamillo, Joan Flynn, Gerry Foster.
Members absent: Emily Griswold, Tom Degnan, Pat Moll, Adela Wilmerding.
Guests: Martha Hansen, Susan Stotts.
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
Joanne DiCamillo announced that Janet Cody would be resigning her duties as Clerk after this month’s meeting due to personal reasons. Members thanked her for her service. Joanne welcomed Martha Hansen who is also the Clerk for the Historic District Commission and will replace Janet.
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted with the following amendments: 1) the Tree Conference is October 25 instead of September 25 and 2) Tom Degnan notified the clerk that the limb at the Van Patten residence is not entirely dead.
Treasurer’s Report
Joanne DiCamillo reported that there is no report this month from Town Hall. Two items approved for payment were the clerk’s budget deduction and Tennett tree work on Sill Lane ($350).
OLD BUSINESS
CL & P Trimming Update
Joanne DiCamillo reported that she had not yet received a map and list of roads being addressed by CL & P. Gerry Foster and Joan Flynn noted concerns for the potentially clogged drains due to the trimming work along Rt. 156 done by ABC. Upon Susan Stott’s arrival, she noted that she would check into the matter. She reported that vines are being cut, stumps are being treated with herbicide with customers’ permission and that no complaints have been received so far. Gerry Foster noted her concerns for the employees who are smoking during this dry season and Susan noted that she would mention it to the crews.
Nursery Update
Joanne DiCamillo reported that she is currently watering the nursery and has noted that the azaleas out in front have some brown areas on the leaves and are very dry. Gerry Foster is scheduled for nursery watering from Nov. 1-15.
Requests for Trimming/Planting
Members voted against the request for tree plantings at 110 Mile Creek Rd. and 61 Sill Lane due to insufficient space. Regarding trimming at 36 Lyme St, more members need to look at the tree and return their comments to Joanne DiCamillo as soon as possible.
Joanne reported that Tom Degnan had called regarding a tree that was overlooked on the Sill Lane green near the Bee & Thistle. Susan Stotts knew of the blue spruce and said that Tennant probably had not trimmed it since it has a diameter greater than sixteen inches and is on a state road. She said that CL & P can take care of it.
Joanne also noted Tom’s concerns of hazardous dead elms in the Mile Creek area. The trees are on John Roach’s list and Tom will remind Ed Adanti about them.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Witmer of Village Estates (Rt. 156 near Ferry Rd) called regarding a dying tree. Joanne DiCamillo clarified with him that the tree is not on a Town right of way nor is the resident’s road a Town road. She notified the resident that it is not a Tree Commission responsibility and that he should speak with his developer regarding its condition.
MEMBER REPORTS
Jack Kelly reported to Gerry Foster that the winged euonymous on Mile Creek and Browns Lane is obstructing vision and is a safety hazard. Joanne DiCamillo said that the Town crew could possibly trim them and that she would call Ed Adanti about it. Members are to look at the area, especially from the Brown’s Lane point of view, and return their comments to Joanne.
OTHER BUSINESS
Old Lyme Events
Joanne DiCamillo noted that the First Selectman’s Report in the Old Lyme Events (formerly the Old Lyme Tymes) noted the Tree Commission’s supervision and protection of the trees and shrubs during the Town Hall Expansion.
Tree Conference
Gerry Foster and Joanne DiCamillo are planning to attend the Tree Conference October 25.
Old Lyme Annual Report
Joanne DiCamillo reported that she has written a draft for the Old Lyme Annual Report noting the Tree Commission’s work on the nursery at the Town Hall as well as a reminder for residents to request permission to plant or trim trees.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 4 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:56 PM.
Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk
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