Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
July 17, 2008
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Adela Wilmerding, Anne Bing
Alternate members: Joan Flynn, Gerry Foster
Members absent: Pat Moll (regular), Emily Griswold (regular), Tom Degnan (ex-officio)
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 06/19/08 meeting were reviewed. Adela Wilmerding moved to accept the minutes as presented, Joan Flynn seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Joanne DiCamillo reported that there was a balance of $12,627.83 as of June 30, 2008.
OLD BUSINESS
Ferry Road & Route 156 – update on project
The fire gate & padlock have been installed. Mrs. DiCamillo was given a key for access when planting resumes in late summer. There is a 36” wide space between the fence and the gate for pedestrian access. The area, while open to the public, is primarily a fire well. Boats, kayaks and canoes should be launched at the state landing area located on the west side of Rte. 156.
Mrs. DiCamillo estimates that approximately $3,400 has been spent on the project up to this point.
· Watering: The plants have been watered three times, two times by CIRO Landscapers and one time by Joanne DiCamillo.
· Planting: More shrubs and perennials will be planted on the riverbank. Ground covers and perennials will be planted on the Ferry Road bank, so that the view of the river and the new plantings will not be obscured from Ferry Road.
Town Hall Landscape installation & swale
Joanne DiCamillo wrote a letter to First Selectman Griswold expressing her concern over mistakes made by the landscape architect and the landscape contractor on the Town Hall Landscape project. Tree substitutions were made without approval and all of the (former) nursery plants that were transplanted in April into their permanent locations were moved again compromising their chances of survival. The Japanese maple tree was moved prematurely, originally scheduled for this coming fall.
Two proposals for filtering the runoff into the Lieutenant River, mandated by the DEP, were discussed with Mrs. DiCamillo. The Town Crew would dig a swale or install a pipe underground. Since Mrs. DiCamillo felt both proposals would damage the roots of the elm, the questioned remained which proposal would be less damaging? She contacted the Tree Warden and asked him to meet onsite with Bob Sullivan, Clerk of the Works, to decide which solution was best for the tree. She has not been advised about the outcome of that meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Cross Lane - letter request to remove trees
Matthew Ward, of 23 Cross Lane, wrote a letter requesting removal of two trees on the corner of Champlain Drive and Cross Lane because they are causing a sightline problem. His letter was forwarded to the Tree Warden (Tom Degnan) who will evaluate the trees to determine what action will be taken. The Chairman asked the Tree Commission members to view the area before the next meeting.
Town Hall – moving Kousa dogwoods
The Kousa dogwoods in front of the Town Hall have grown too large for the space. They should be moved, removed or heavily pruned. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested the trees could be moved to the area south of the new meeting room to replace the Norway maple, which is in poor condition. This maple was the only tree left standing in a long line of maples when the site was cleared, following the Tree Commission’s recommendation; however, it was not protected during construction by the contractor and was damaged.
MEMBER REPORTS
Anne Bing reported that on the corner of Rte. 156 and Bill Hill Road there is a tree with a weak crotch, on the street side of the stonewall. The tree could pose a hazard in a windstorm. The Tree Commission members will view the tree before the next meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
America the Beautiful Grant announcement
The CT DEP Division of Forestry has announced that they are accepting grant proposals for urban forestry and community planting projects. The maximum award is $8,000.
Town newsletter deadline
The deadline for the September edition of the Town newsletter is Friday, July 25.
Tree list
In preparation for the August meeting, members are asked to review the list of tree selections that will be planted in the fall on the Wenck property, Mile Creek Rd., the Buttonball/Shore Rd. triangle and Ferry Road.
REMINDER
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Anne Bing moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 P.M.; Adela Wilmerding seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Submitted by:
Martha Hansen, Clerk
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