Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
July 15, 2010
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Members absent: Anne Bing (regular), Pat Moll (alternate), Tom Degnan (ex-officio)
Guests: Charlie Delinks, John Duda, Chris Duda
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:08 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 5/20/10 regular meeting were reviewed. Emily Griswold moved to accept the minutes as presented. Gerry Foster seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Budget Report
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of June 7, 2010, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $17,626.41. The budget for FY2010/2011 is $27,260, the same as last year. The budget includes roadside trimming and tree removal funds used by the Dept. of Public Works.
OLD BUSINESS
Tree Inventory
John and Chris Duda gave a presentation on creating a FEMA tree index/inventory. They were recommended by Doug Glowicki, who is an Emergency Management Program Specialist for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. John and Chris, as interns, created FEMA tree inventories for several Connecticut towns including Essex. The tree index provides information on the number and kind of trees in a town by using a random sample taken from about 6% of a town’s roads (including 2-lane state highways, but not four-lane highways). The roads are photographed, and the trees in the sample areas are counted, the type and size are determined and the information is recorded in a database using GPS coordinates provided by a GPS camera or other hand-held device. The information, which would be in Excel and
PowerPoint, could also be put into a GIS map layer. The tree index is useful in determining what equipment, etc. would be needed for debris cleanup in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. The information could be incorporated into a Town Tree Inventory later.
John and Chris estimated that it would take 1-2 weeks to create the inventory. They would need to rent a GPS camera unless the town purchased one.
Charlie Delinks recommended renting a camera first, before buying one. He will contact Applied Geographics, the company which supports the town’s GIS program, to see what camera they recommend. If the town purchased a GPS camera it could also be used by the Emergency Management Department and the Harbor Commission.
John and Chris would charge a flat fee of $4,000, plus .50 per mile (for driving around town) to do the inventory. This works out to about $25 per hour; based on an estimate of about 2 weeks (80 hours each) to do the field and computer work.
There was a discussion about the tree index/inventory and the GPS camera.
MOTION: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, to authorize Joanne DiCamillo to hire John and Chris Duda to create a FEMA tree index/inventory pending information regarding GPS cameras to be provided by Charlie Delinks. All present voted in favor, motion carried.
Mrs. DiCamillo thanked Gerry Foster for contacting Doug Glowicki and John and Chris Duda and arranging for their presentation.
DPW Services hazardous tree inventory proposal
Mrs. DiCamillo received a Hazard Tree Inventory proposal from arborist Dana Whitney. In his plan, Mr. Whitney would identify (only) hazardous trees along town roads for a sum not to exceed $9,000, based on an estimate of about 200 hours over 5 weeks, which works out to about $45 per hour. The proposal does not include a written report.
Mrs. DiCamillo and Mr. Degnan would like to have a written report. They feel it would be an important tool in achieving the ultimate goal of inventory, developing a long range management plan.
The Tree Inventory data would need updating on a regular basis to include all tree activity (pruning, removals, planting). Currently, there is no one in Town Hall who is trained to perform this work.
6 Lyme Street - tree planting update
The gator bag has been removed from the new hornbeam tree, and the tree is doing well.
61 Sill Lane - suggestions for fall tree planting
Tom Degnan recommended planting a shade tree, which is what the owner requested. Joan Flynn suggested that a tree lilac or Kousa dogwood would fit the site and look nice. The place where the tree would be planted is 10 feet from the road.
Members are asked to look at the area again and make suggestions.
NEW BUSINESS - none
MEMBER REPORTS
Emily Griswold reported that the young tree on Buttonball Road looks dry and needs to be watered. The tree on Mile Creek Road looks fine.
Mrs. DiCamillo will have CIRO landscapers water both trees.
OTHER BUSINESS - none
REMINDER
Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Joan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 PM. Emily Griswold seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
| 
