Urban Forestry Commission

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2023 IN PERSON MEETING Room 208 Municipal Building MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT ALSO PRESENT Jane Harris, Chairwoman Chris Holden, Public Works Director Bob Grimm Steve Cronkite- guest Jon Morris Carl Lecce- guest Dave Meyering Elizabeth Holder 1. Roll Call Jane Harris, Chairwoman called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm, in Room 208 of the Municipal Building at 245 DeKoven Drive. The roll was called and a quorum was determined. Review of Minutes  Motion: To approve the minutes of December 22, 2022 as received. Moved by E. Holder; seconded by J. Morris; approved unanimously. 2. Old Business 1) Tree Warden Report  Director Holden shared a report from Rick Romano. He stated that there were 11 tree removals at the corner of Sawmill Rd as part of our bid work. Jane Harris shared that J&J will also be working on tree pruning. Director Holden added that there was pruning work done that day and one removal in the area of Sonoma Woods. Jane Harris said that there is much pruning work that should be done in the Westfield section of town. 2) Public Works Report  Nothing additional to tree warden report. 3. Account Balance  No monies have been spent and the balance is $11,444.69 4. Spring Tree Planting sites  Director Holden stated based on his calculations there would be roughly $8,000 left for trees for the spring. Jane Harris said there would be enough money to plant 15 or 16 trees and that it would be much easier to plant all in the same area. Mile Ln would be nice to be replanted. It was also  suggested to replant near the picnic pavilion on Country Club Rd as there is an area of evergreen trees that are dying. 5. Recommended Street Tree planting list.  Jane Harris stated that there is nothing to update on this list other than one of the green ash trees on the list that still has to be done. 6. Arbor Day Celebration 2023  Rockfall will allow the commission to use their meeting room if they’d like to. Sally D’Aquila gave $1000 to plant two trees in front of Russell Library to honor her two parents. Two trees have been planted for the Carabetta family but those have yet to be acknowledged as of yet. Jane Harris recommended Carol Schultz, who worked at the library, be celebrated on her work to keep her Copper Beech tree alive for decades. There will be a new plaque made for Quentin Williams. 3. New Business 1. Rockfall Foundation Symposium Update  The symposium is going well. Katie Dykes will be giving an introduction. Two people from DEEP will speak about climate change. Danica Deroski will speak to Urban Forestry. There may be people from UConn Horticulture that will speak. 2. Prophylactic treatment of the beech tree on South Green  Possible polyphosphate and its dilution to use. This would be for individual use on trees affected by toads. Trees would be treated twice per year. There could be use of memorial fund monies to treat as many affected trees are memorial trees. 3. Selection of Arbor Day honorees  Nobody else comes to mind for honoring other than possibly another tree for Quentin Williams. 4. Other/Correspondence  Clean up Vets Green from removals that happened in the fall, including stump grinding. Stump grinding for Russell Library.  Elizabeth Holder announced she will be moving out of state so there will be a vacant seat on the commission. 5. Public Comment  None at this time. 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 5:36pm. Moved by Elizabeth Holder; seconded by Jon Morris, approved unanimously.