Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
September 16, 2010
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster
Members absent: Tom Degnan (ex-officio) Anne Bing (regular), Joan Flynn (alternate), Pat Moll (alternate)
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM.
Mrs. DiCamillo’s requested that two items be added to the agenda under Other Business. A motion was made by Emily Griswold and seconded by Gerry Foster. Motion carried.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 7/15/10 regular meeting were reviewed. Gerry Foster moved to accept the minutes as presented. Emily Griswold seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Budget Report
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that as of September 14, 2010, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $24,285. The budget for FY2010/2011 was approved for $27,260, the same as last year. The budget includes roadside trimming and tree removal funds used by the Dept. of Public Works. There was a carryover of $15,600 from FY 2009/2010. Mrs. DiCamillo requested $5,000 of the carryover to pay for a FEMA Tree Inventory. $6,500, carried over from FY 2008/2009 and designated for the FEMA tree inventory, was not used by the commission.
OLD BUSINESS
Inventory update
The commission has been waiting since the July meeting for Mr. Delinks to confirm that the Ricoh camera is compatible with ArcView. He contacted Applied Geographics about a month ago. They did not have any information on Ricoh cameras, and suggested that he contact Trimble Software Co.
Because hurricane season is upon us, and in order to expedite this process, Mrs. DiCamillo called John Duda earlier today. He agreed to try to find out information about the camera’s compatibility.
John and Chris Duda will be using I-Tree software and will put the tree inventory into an Excel spreadsheet. The photos and information will be stored on CD’s and provided to (both) the state and the town. It will be used to obtain funds from FEMA in the event of a disaster. All the members agreed that the inventory should be performed as soon as it is confirmed that a Ricoh GPS camera will work with ArcView. Gerry Foster will be the contact person for John and Chris Duda.
61 Sill Lane - suggestions for tree planting
Mrs. DiCamillo is waiting to hear from the Tree Warden regarding the type of shade tree to be planted at 61 Sill Lane. The tree would be planted 10 feet from the road on the north side of the property.
NEW BUSINESS
CL&P upcoming tree trimming schedule for Old Lyme
CL&P will be trimming trees on the following roads in Old Lyme: Halls Road, Lyme Street, Library Lane, McCurdy Road, Ferry Road 1& 2, Johnnycake Hill Road, Rte. 156, The lower portion of Mile Creek Road (near the Nearly New Shop), Bailey Road and Smith Neck Road. Susan Stotts, of CL&P, told Mrs. DiCamillo that trees in Old Lyme are trimmed on a 4 year schedule, depending on how many power outages occur. There is a main power line which runs up Lyme Street. The trees on Lyme Street were trimmed 3 years ago. Mrs. DiCamillo asked Ms. Stotts to make a list of the trees to be trimmed so that she can look at them.
Mile Creek Road – tulip tree
Janet Sturges, of 6 Mile Creek Road, asked to have the Tree Warden look at a large tulip tree near her house. The tree has been losing bark. After evaluating the tree from the ground, Mr. Degnan asked for a report from Wilcox Tree Experts. Jason Wilcox evaluated the tree (from the top using a bucket) and found dead wood in the center. Joanne DiCamillo delivered copies of his report to Tom Degnan and Tim Griswold.
CT Urban Forest Council Annual Conference – November 3
Mrs. DiCamillo reported that the CT Urban Forest Council will hold their annual conference on November 3. Information on the conference is available at www.cturbanforestcouncil.org. Members interested in attending the conference should contact Mrs. DiCamillo.
Town Hall – Landscape maintenance update
The Town Hall landscaping was weeded (at no cost to the town) by inmates from the York Correctional Institution in Niantic. They did a great job and many compliments have been received. Ciro Landscapers watered all the plants on the perimeter for 6 hours on August 20. Soaker hoses were used on other areas.
Ferry Road – Update
Ciro Landscapers watered the Ferry Road plantings for 3 hours in August, and spent 9 hours mulching and weeding.
MEMBER REPORTS - none
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Tim Griswold asked Mrs. DiCamillo to join Ed Adanti, Don Bugbee and himself for a tree inspection at the Cross Lane tennis courts, Hains Park and Town Woods Park to see what work needs to be done (trees leaning on fences, etc.). The town crew is able to remove small dead trees and dead limbs/wood.
A licensed arborist is required (by state statute) to trim live wood on town trees.
2. Mrs. DiCamillo is working on preparing the FY2011/2012 Tree Commission budget.
REMINDER
Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Gerry Foster moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:12 PM. Emily Griswold seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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