Urban Forestry Commission

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION Special Meeting Minutes of March 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 February 23, 2023 as received. Moved by Jon Morris; seconded by Elisabeth Holder; approved unanimously. 2. Old Business Tree Warden Report 1) Director Holden shared a report from the Deputy Tree Warden that listed work that was performed by J&J in March 2023. Jane Harris noted that there was one tree she had asked for to be put on the bid list that doesn’t appear to have made it that does need to be removed. The tree is located on the corner of Plum and East Street. The tree is diseased and spreading fungus. Public Works Report 1) Director Holden stated it is budget season and the overall budget may need to be trimmed. He would think that the tree cutting portion may need to be reduced and not touch the tree planting portion. Plantings is roughly $50,000 and cutting is budgeted around $140,000 for tree cutting and pruning. 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 have been other tree requests come in for Arbor Day. There may not be much money left over for additional planting. Recommended Street Tree planting list. 1) Chairwoman Harris asked Director Holden if the recommended street tree planting list was distributed to anyone. He has not but will. Chairwoman Harris shared they had requests from the garden club and pollinator pathway group to add a sentence in the recommended planting list about planting natives as a priority. She will add that and send a revised copy. Arbor Day Celebration 2023 1) Chairwoman Harris stated that they got approval to have the celebration at the Mansion in the morning instead of the afternoon. The celebration will be 10 a.m. on the 28th of April. Jon Morris stated that if Jane Harris needs any help the day of the celebration he is available to assist. She said that would be very helpful and that she was going to be reaching out to Prides Corner to check to see when they will have trees for sale. Jon Morris stated that the tree planted for John Hall is dead and that the sign is crooked and several other signs are crooked. He stated that maybe there is a better way to place the plaques so that they are less vulnerable. Jane Harris stated it would get expensive. Chris Donnelly Status 1) Director Holden stated he heard from him recently and sent him information and what the insurance requirements are. Rockfall Foundation Symposium 1) All speakers are lined up for the symposium. It will take place on May 12th, 2023 in the morning until about 1 p.m. All information can be found on the Rockfall Foundation website, including an agenda. Registration for the event is open. Prides Corner is a sponsor and donated $250. J & J Brothers is also a sponsor and donated $2,500. Selection of Arbor Day honorees 1) Elizabeth Petry Reilly will be partially funded by Sally D’Aquila and the Community Foundation. This tree will be planted on the Community Foundation property at 49 Main Street. 3. New Business 1) Sustainability & Clean Energy Fair/ Scavenger Hunt a. Middletown is a silver level sustainable city. The City must provide documentation to Sustainable CT, one portion of which is street tree inventory. Jane Harris hopes that Chris Donnelly would be interested in participating in the street tree inventory taking. The fair is taking place May 6th, 2023 from 11  a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Russell Library. They have requested the committee to have a booth or provide information on what they do. Elisabeth Holder suggested using the PowerPoint that was created a few years ago and turn it into a brochure. 2) Tree Removals and pruning- 29 Gordon Place, 269 West Street, 143 Prospect Street a. 269 West Street had requested from the committee to address the trees. Two are pruning’s and one is a removal. There is no update about stump grinding at this time. 4. Other/Correspondence  None at this time. 5. Public Comment  None at this time. 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 5:10pm. Moved by Bob Grimm; seconded by Elisabeth Holder, approved unanimously.