UNAPPROVED
Town of South Windsor
1540 Sullivan Avenue
South Windsor, CT 06074
Public Hearing Minutes
South Windsor High School
161 Nevers Road
South Windsor, CT
November 7, 2008
The public hearing was called to order at 7:15 am.
Karl Reichle began the meeting by introducing himself as the Tree Warden for the Town of South Windsor, stated the time as 7:15 am on November 7, 2008. Karl read the Notice of a Public Hearing “On November 6, 2008 a Public Hearing will be held for removal
of one Maple tree and one Locust tree located in front of South Windsor High School 161 Nevers Road in South Windsor, Connecticut.
The hearing will be held in the South Windsor High School conference room located in the front office at 7:15 am and after all who are present are heard, the hearing will move and continue in Room 137 Mr. Hackett’s Social Studies room. Town of South Windsor, Karl E. Reichle.
Karl presented a copy of the State Statute, 451 23-59, which explains the removal process and the appeal process. Karl explained that after the hearing he has three days to make his decision at which time he will post the decision. Those opposing have 10 days to file with superior court to appeal the decision. Trees were posted on October 16, 2008. Karl received written notice from John Hackett on October 23rd, 2008 requesting a public hearing. Trees were posted with public hearing notice on October 24, 2008. Karl opened the hearing for public input; the high school address will be used for addresses.
Heath Carlson didn’t agree with the reason the trees were being removed for safety concerns to gain access to the roof, feels the trees are beautiful and the kids use the benches around the trees and the trees are part of the school. .
Maryanne Blanc, science teacher, agrees with Mr. Carlson’s comment and feels that the removal of the trees would affect the look of the whole school. One of the trees is outside of child development and students will take the children outside and use the area as a protective area and the art classes also use the area. Ms. Blanc also feels that in this day and age of global warming and environmental issues to take down to perfectly healthy trees are a mistake. Ms. Blanc felt if they were diseased if would be one thing and perhaps the trees could be trimmed back. The branches aren’t huge branches that could support the weight of students trying to reach the roof.
John Hackett, agrees with previous speakers, from looking at the state statute the state gives Karl the power to prune or remove if it a host of an insect, fungus or if poses a hazard to public safety. In his opinion it appears the trees are healthy and mature. Regarding the public safety concern of someone gaining access to the roof by climbing the tree he feels it’s a hard thing to do. The locust tree does have a branch that goes to the building but it would be quite a leap to get to the roof. Doesn’t know of anyone climbing the trees to get to the roof. Mr. Hackett would like to see any police reports of anyone being on the roof. Would like to see pruning done.
Anne Wolf, Ms. Wolfe has the classroom right near the tree and it provides shade for the students in the pre-school program as well as the students. Not aware of any diseases and hasn’t seen anyone use the tree to get to the top of the roof. There is one branch that goes toward the roof but in looking at it you would need to drop onto the concrete before you could get to the roof. The pre-school children use the tree for nature purposes as well as for shade it allows them to be able to go out in the hot months. The shade from the tree is very important as their classroom cannot have an air conditioner or open the doors.
Tree Hearing adjourned at 7:25 am and will be reconvened in Mr. Hackett’s room.
Tree Warden Hearing reconvened at 7:37 am. Mr. Reichle introduced himself and explained to the students the process of a hearing and that this was their time to speak and explain to him why the trees should remain.
Student asked why the trees were being taken down. Mr. Reichle responded that it was a request of the maintenance department. Another student asked if there was ever a record of anyone climbing on the roof. Mr. Reichle did not know.
Another student asked if the tree could be trimmed and Mr. Reichle responded that it was something he could look at. A power point presentation was made by three members of the Board of Environmental Club. Presentation showed the trees and comments were made that the branches are to far from the roof and too weak to support someone climbing onto the roof and people will find another way to get on the roof other than the trees. The benefits of the trees is that one of the trees (black locust) is the only one near the child development class and only one that provides shade on the school grounds and the trees increase the oxygen levels. The trees absorb rain water and provide homes for wildlife and they compliment the school. Could the branches near the top be trimmed?
Brittany Wickliff, part of the Child Development Program, the trees provide resources for them, and they keep the classroom cooler in the summer and provides relief for the children. The class uses the trees for programs with the children using the leaves and the animals coming from the tree.
Liz Barry, senior, also works in the Child Development Center; the trees provide a natural sunscreen for the children and shade for the children in the summer months so they may go outside.
Susan Orsini, junior, part of Child Development as well, the trees also benefits the inside of the school, the classroom gets hot and the tree shades the classroom. It allows the children to go outside and run around.
Brogan Canty, freshman, her class went outside to look at the locust tree and examined the branches that led up to the roof and they believe they are too weak to support someone climbing onto the roof.
Karl Reichle explained that this was the students’ time to be heard and that he would take into consideration any of the comments made.
Thad Moses, student, assuming that the branch could hold someone to climb to the roof there is still a 3 foot drop and doesn’t feel that anyone would go to that much trouble when they could just use an average size ladder.
Anna Boutin, sophomore, doesn’t understand why anyone would want to get on the roof and anyone could go out the windows on the top floor as they lead directly to the roof and doesn’t feel people would consider using the tree as the easiest way to get onto the roof.
Susan Orsini – hasn’t heard of anyone climbing on the roof or of any complaints. Has anyone been in trouble for climbing the trees?
Karl Reichle explained that he had a request by maintenance to remove the trees.
Brittany Wickliff – feels that just because one person is going to climb the tree everyone else shouldn’t be penalized.
Liz Barry – anyone climbing the tree doesn’t want to be here (school) and the people who want the tree want to be in school.
Eva Derosier asked what kind of machinery do they use to remove the tree and could it disrupt the students.
Karl Reichle responded that machinery would be used and that they try to take into consideration the schedule of the school
Beth Gilson, 10th grade, there is a bench around one of the trees and it would look foolish with the tree for the center.
Rebecca, sophomore, if machinery was used would it harm the environment?
Mr. Reichle responded that other areas would be disturbed.
Jacki Novak was concerned that the removal would disturb the students and doesn’t feel it’s worth it to harm other things.
Liz Earl, feels the trees should be trimmed and if they were trimmed it would stop the problem instead of removing.
Alison Brown went to look at tree with class, from her perspective tree looks healthy and sturdy, feels that by cutting them down students will find other ways to get onto the roof other than the trees and the students sit on around the tree on the benches.
Andrea, botany student, the tree is the only significant black locust tree in the area and if it were removed it would limit the variety of trees in the area.
Karl Reichle asked what was so special about locust tree, what does it do? A locust tree is legume and it is a nitrogen fixing tree it creates its own nitrogen and fertilizer.
Ava Derosiers feels that removing the tree is a waste of time and resources that could be used elsewhere.
Student asked what the cost to remove the tree is.
Karl Reichle responded that it would cost $466.50 to remove that tree, a contract would remove it and that would be his charge to the Town of South Windsor.
Student (name inaudible) disagrees with spending the money and we would be losing rather than gaining by removing it.
Bridget, freshman, disagrees with the reasoning behind removing the tree and the money could be used better.
Avery – what do we do with the wood once it’s cut?
Karl Reichle replied that the tree become the property of the contract and his/her responsibility and most of it would be chipped and the larger pieces would be split.
Anna Boutin – in today’s society with all of the environment problems and the school trying to be more environmentally friendly to remove the tree based on a theory would really contradict that.
Sam – feels that if anyone would take the trouble to get onto the roof that they would find a simpler way to get onto the roof.
Student, doesn’t make sense to remove every potential threat.
Brogan Canty– there is a notice on the maple tree and what is the significance of that?
Karl Reichle responded that there were two trees that were pointed out and it’s the same issue as the locust.
Zach Fromson – inspected the maple and none of the branches are close or near to get to the top of the school and maybe that should be re-examined.
Jackie Novak – thinks the branches are too thing to climb and nobody is going to be able to get up there without a branch breaking.
Beth Gilson – thinks the money could be used elsewhere such as the area near the field hockey field that could be improved.
Student asked how much to remove the branches?
Karl Reichle responded that he didn’t have a cost yet.
Brogan – do they know which tree was used to gain access to the roof?
Karl Reichle – not sure.
Amalia Kanaris – there are windows around the area of the tree and feels that people would use the windows to go out.
Student – feels if someone is going to come to the school at night to get on the roof perhaps the trees aren’t the problem.
Derrick – how much to trim the trees?
Karl Reichle responded that he didn’t have a cost yet but it would be less than the $466.50 to remove.
Kelly Sivo - noticed there are a lot more benefits to keeping the tree than removing.
Tyler Veretto feels the trees are still alive and there is no point in cutting them down.
Sam Kaczmarek – the class went out and looked at the branches and the nearest branch is 3-4 feet away with a 10 foot drop and doesn’t feel anyone would risk the drop.
Liz Barry – class examined the trees and they are both healthy.
Alison Brown – science rooms with the observation decks would be easier to use to gain access to the roof than the trees and if we keep cutting trees down we will ruin the environment and there are very few trees around the school.
Kelly Sivo – went out with class to look at the trees and they appear to be healthy adult trees and doesn’t see the point in removing them.
Maritnini – understands the liability but anyone can get hurt on the grounds on other things.
Patrick – to remove the trees for public safety – safer for kids to have shade.
Liz Earle – when the students come back to school it is still hot and the tree provides shade.
Anna Boutin – feels that punishing the whole student body, faculty and teachers who use the tree for shade over a theory is wrong and if we always punish the masses for one person nothing would get accomplished.
John Hackett asked students to pass forward writings for Karl’s review.
Karl Reichle explained that he would review everything that was written before he made his decision and would take all comments into consideration.
The public hearing was closed at 8:10 am.
Respectfully submitted:
Elizabeth V. Locicero
Recording Secretary
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