Urban Forestry Commission

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes of February 23, 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 Elisabeth 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 amended minutes of January 26, 2023 as received. Moved by Jon Morris; seconded by Bob Grimm; approved unanimously. 2. Old Business Tree Warden Report 1) There will be a focus on completing the bid list for tree removal. There was a lot of hourly work completed early on that ate into the cutting budget. Any trees that are an immediate danger would be taken down, otherwise it would wait until the next fiscal year. There are trees that are bid list trees on Aircraft Road and Miner Street. The committee discussed it’s purview over trees that are located on private property that can potentially cause damage to wires or fall in the road. Per Chairwoman Harris, the committee and the tree warden are responsible for the care and control of trees and the public right of way. There may need to be a determination by the Risk Managers Office or OGC. Eversource may get involved depending on the location of the tree relative to wires. There should be stump removals in the spring time, including Vets green and in front of the library. Public Works Report 1) Received notice from Eversource regarding mainline work that is being done in the southwest part of town. Account Balance 1) No monies have been spent and the balance is $11,444.69. The plan is to keep the same Urban Forestry budget as previous years for the new fiscal year. Spring Tree Planting Sites 1) There is one dead Austrian Pine on Country Club Road. The commission noted they should connect with Rick Romano. Recommended Street Tree planting list. 1) A list of recommended tree varieties was distributed. It was asked to show which trees on the list are native to the area. The amended list was voted on. Jon Morris made a motion to approve. Elisabeth Holder seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Arbor Day Celebration 2023 1) There is not a definite location set as of yet. There was a request from the garden club to add Juana Flagg to the list of people to be celebrated. She was on the original Urban Forestry Commission. She is turning 100 this year. Chris Donnelly Status 1) Director Holden will be reaching back out to Chris Donnelly via phone as he has not responded to emails. 3. New Business 1) Rockfall Foundation Symposium Update- Speakers are committed for the event. It will be held in the morning of May 12th, 2023, sponsored by The Rockfall Foundation. The theme for the event will be “Trees in a changing Connecticut.” The only speaker still outstanding is the key note speaker. There is a registration fee of $40, which includes breakfast and an additional $28 for lunch. Registration will be through The Rockfall Foundation. CEU’s will be available to Planning, Zoning, Tree Wardens and Arborists. 2) Chris Donnelly was contacted about the use of prophylactic treatment of the beech trees and he does not think it is something that they should take action on. 3) Selection of Arbor Day honorees- Elisabeth Holder is being recommended as an honoree. It is recommended that a white oak tree be planted at the arboretum. Plaque information is still being collected. It was discussed whether QR codes should be placed on the plaques. Jane Harris suggested Director Holden having one of his “minions” look to see if there is a source for free QR codes. Carol Schultz is recommended, as are the parents of Sally D’Aquila (Phyllis and Gerald McGee), Mr. and Mrs. John Carabetta, and Juana Flagg. There will also be a new plaque added for Quentin Williams, as well as for all of the people trees were planted for last year that never got them. 4) Stump grinding is planned for the front of Russell Library and Vets Green. 4. Other/Correspondence  The question arose in regards to larger trees being planted on Main Street. Director Holden stated that the trees chosen were chosen for a reason based on how they grow. There is not a planting plan as of yet as they are waiting for the stumps to be removed.  It was recommended to plant near Wadsworth, Johnson Street near St. Johns cemetery, and in Mortimer Cemetery. 5. Public Comment  None at this time. 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 5:14pm. Moved by Bob Grimm; seconded by Jon Morris, approved unanimously.