Urban Forestry Commission
Regular MeetingMiddletown, CT · August 24, 2023
Minutes
URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION
Minutes of August 24, 2023
IN PERSON SPECIAL MEETING
Room 208 Municipal Building
MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT ALSO PRESENT
Jane Harris, Chairwoman Steve Cronkite Chris Holden, Public Works Director
Bob Grimm Chris Donnelly- City Forester
Jon Morris Dominick DeMartino- guest
Dave Meyering Captain Godwin- guest
1. Roll Call
Jane Harris, Chairwoman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm, in Room 210 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 June 15, 2023. Moved by Dave Meyering;
seconded by Bob Grimm. There was one person who abstained and no nays. The
motion passed.
2. Old Business
Tree Warden Report
The Tree Warden report was reviewed. Two trees on West St were pruned and one was
removed.
Public Works Report
Nothing additional to report.
Account Balance
Account balance of $13,415.00 for the Urban Forestry Commission. $67,888.00 is
remaining in the general fund. The tree fund has around $51,000.00.
Spring Tree Planting Sites
Chairwoman Harris stated she would like to fill some of the holes in the North End
such as Pearl Street.
South Green Tree Lighting
The downtown Business District has been told that the Spruce that has the holiday
lighting is on its last leg. Chairwoman Harris said from the bottom of the tree things
look fine. It was recommended that J&J come in and look at the top of the tree.
3. New Business
Tree Impact from Paving- Affected trees on Miner St should be regularly checked.
Tree Bid List- This was emailed out. The two lowest bids were from J&J and Asplundh.
J&J did get the low bid.
Steve Cronkite official member-Is now an official member of the Commission.
North End tree discussion- Chairwoman Harris will discuss with Rick Romano seeing
if J&J could do some trimming on Main Street.
4. Other/Correspondence
Email received from Captain Godwin regarding the Main Street issue below. He did
come in to speak during public comment.
5. Public Comment
Dominick DeMartino came to speak about his ongoing project at the old Schlein
Furniture building. He has some concerns about the trees directly in front of 584 Main
Street. The apartments that are being built out are going to have their view of Main
Street will be obstructed by the trees in front of the building. He also stated that some
of the cameras are going to be blocked because of these trees. Jane Harris stated that
the standard is to have trees that grow large enough, at least 13 feet, so that there is a
clear line of sight so store signage can be seen. She stated that she can understand why
he would think this would be a hindrance to him marketing his apartments, but studies
have shown that people looking out their windows and seeing trees is actually
beneficial to their health. Detective Godwin spoke to areas on Main St that become safe
havens for narcotics deals and prostitution due to the shade and cover provided by the
street trees. Chairwoman Harris will be meeting with Dominick DeMartino to evaluate
the location of the trees.
6. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 5:48pm. Moved by Jon Morris; seconded by Dave Meyering, approved
unanimously.
Agenda
Chair Jane Harris David Meyering
Middletown Vice-Chair
Members
Secretary
Nicholas
JonathanFazzino
Thom
Morris (’21) Steven Cronkite
RobertPattavina
Grimm (’23)
Urban Forestry Members Richard Pelletier (’23)
Catherine Johnson
Marcus Fazzino (’21)
Tree Warden Director of Public (’23)
Works, Vacant (’21) Holden
Christopher
Commission Alternates
Arborist
Staff
Kellin Atherton (’23)
Chris Donnelly
Shanay Fulton (’23)
James O’Connell (’21)
Ex- Officio Mayor Ben Florsheim
REGULAR MEETING
AGENDA
TO: Mayor Benjamin Florsheim and Urban Forestry Commission
FROM: Jane Harris, Chair Urban Forestry Commission
DATE: August 23, 2023
RE: AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, August 24, 2023
4:30 P.M.
Room 210
Middletown Municipal Building
245 deKoven Drive
Middletown, CT 06457
MASK OPTIONAL ENTERING THE BUILDING
AGENDA
1. Roll Call
Review Minutes of Meeting held June 15, 2023
2. Old Business
a. Tree Warden Report
b. Public Works Report
c. Account Balance – UFC $13,415
d. General Tree Account- GF $67,888
e. Spring Tree planting sites
3. New Business
a. Tree impact from Paving
b. Tree bid listing
c. Steve Cronkite official member
d. North End tree discussion
4. Other/Correspondence
5. Public Comment
6. Adjournment
If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812
(TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.
Page 1 of 1
Get email alerts for Middletown
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.