Minutes of a meeting of
The Old Lyme Tree Commission
October 21, 2010
Attendance:
Regular members present: Joanne DiCamillo, Emily Griswold, Gerry Foster
Alternate members present: Joan Flynn
Members absent: Tom Degnan (ex-officio) Anne Bing (regular), Pat Moll (alternate)
Guests: Alison Marsh, Mandy Marsh, Sophie Marsh, Janet Viator
Susan Stotts, CL&P
Steve Bennet, Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
A quorum being present, Chairman Joanne DiCamillo called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the 9/16/10 regular meeting were reviewed.
MOTION: 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 October 19, 2010, the balance in the General Fund (Tree Commission and Public Works) was $23,239.00. The FY 2011/2012 budget is due on October 25. Mrs. DiCamillo will request $27,260.00, the same amount requested and approved for FY 2010/2011.
NEW BUSINESS
Mile Creek Road – tulip tree – letter from Alison Marsh
Alison Marsh, of 10 Jadon Road, read a letter she wrote to Mrs. DiCamillo about a large tulip tree on Mile Creek Road that has been marked by the Tree Warden for removal. Alison stated in the letter that the tree appears healthy and asked if it could be trimmed instead of removed, and if a second opinion could be obtained. Alison and her mother measured the tree at its base. She also asked who would remove the tree, and what would happen to the wood. Alison has written a letter to Tree Warden Tom Degnan requesting a Public Hearing regarding the tree’s removal.
Mrs. DiCamillo thanked Alison for her letter and replied that the Tree Commission wants to protect as many trees as possible, but that public safety needs to be considered when a tree poses a hazard. The tulip tree was evaluated by the Tree Warden and a licensed arborist in response to a report from a neighbor who noticed that the tree had been losing a lot of bark. The arborist checked the tree from the top (using a bucket) and found major dead wood in the two main leaders of the tree. The removal of the tree has been put on hold. The Tree Warden will make a final
decision after the Public Hearing.
Susan Stotts - CL&P - trimming plan for Lyme Street
The tree trimming in Old Lyme is almost finished. ABC and Asplundh are the contractors working in town.
CL&P’s plans for trimming in several areas in town were discussed including Lyme Street and McCurdy Road. Steve Bennet, of Asplundh Tree Service has tried unsuccessfully to contact Tom Degnan regarding the trimming; he will try again this week. CL&P and Asplundh are contacting homeowners individually regarding tree trimming along their property.
Old Lyme Town Hall Tree Trimming
Mrs. DiCamillo asked Wilcox Tree Experts to evaluate two trees at Town Hall, a Norway maple growing the curb in front and a paper birch behind the building and to submit a quote for trimming.
The Norway maple is in decline and is losing limbs. The roots of the paper birch were damaged during the new construction a few years ago and the crown of the tree is now in decline.
Wilcox Tree Experts evaluated the two trees and several of the other trees growing in the landscape... He submitted a proposal of $1,225.00 for pruning and fertilizing the following trees:
Norway maple south of Town Hall meeting room, $125 to prune
Norway maple near sidewalk and curb, prune dead wood $250, $125 to fertilize.
Three Kousa dogwoods, $150 to prune
Paper birch under river birch, remove 1 leader, reduce 2 leaders, $150
Paper birch behind Town Hall, $300 remove declining top and prune, $125 to fertilize
The proposal was discussed.
MOTION: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, not to fertilize any of the Town Hall trees. Motion passed unanimously.
The members could not reach a decision on trimming the Norway maple and the paper birch because of the significant die back in both of the trees. Trimming may just be a temporary solution with the possibility that they may need to be taken down in a few years. Mrs. DiCamillo suggested that Mr. Degnan evaluate the condition of the trees and make the decision. She will contact him.
MOTION: Gerry Foster moved, seconded by Joan Flynn, to have Tom Degnan evaluate the Norway maple on the curb and the paper birch behind Town Hall and decide on their treatment. Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Joan Flynn moved, seconded by Gerry Foster, to authorize Wilcox Tree Experts to prune a branch of the paper birch growing over the roof. Motion passed unanimously.
The members decided to wait until spring to make a decision about the Kousa dogwoods.
OLD BUSINESS
Inventory update
Mrs. DiCamillo drafted a letter to John and Chris Duda outlining the Tree Inventory details with the fees that they presented to the commission at their meeting in July. They need to have an insurance certificate on file at Town Hall before they can do the work. Mrs. DiCamillo spoke with their father, John Duda. He expressed concern about the cost to insure them. He stated that he will look once again at the numbers and, at Mrs. DiCamillo’s request, will contact her with his final decision.
CT Urban Forest Council Conference – November 3
No one from the Tree Commission is able to attend the conference this year. .
Town Hall – Landscape maintenance update
The gardens are being mulched.
MEMBER REPORTS – none
OTHER BUSINESS
The trees next to the High School driveway are being removed this week.
REMINDER
Next Meeting
Next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 4 PM at the Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Gerry Foster moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:37 PM. Joan Flynn seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Hansen
Clerk
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