Tree Board

Montpelier Tree Board Minutes January 9, 2014 5:30-6:30pm Montpelier City Hall In attendance: John Akielaszek, Sarah Hoffmeier, Abby Colihan, John Snell, and Geoff Beyer and volunteers Bob Troester, Ellie Doyle, Stephanie Olsen, and Kelly Ogrodnik. Old Business: • Minutes of December 2013 meeting were approved. • There was discussion of finding a new co-chair to replace Sarah but all agreed we’d proceed without one; when John S is absent, the committee will carry on with “collective leadership.” • John A gave an update on the recent meeting with City Manager regarding the probably need for future funding to remove trees infested by the Emerald Ash Borer. The Manager agreed to present the information to the City Council and find possible solutions to create a fund over time. New Business: • John A also mentioned that he’d like the Board to consider how we can support Vermont Ash Tree Awareness week (April 27-May 3). He suggested, among other ideas, that we attach purple ribbons to ash trees along the statehouse path and offer educational tours to legislators. Abby suggested getting articles in the Times-Argus, The Bridge and The World. John S mentioned a recent study about EAB and extremely cold temperatures. He’ll send a link to the article as well as the draft EAB plan (attached) to the Board. • The Board welcomed Kelly Ogrodnik as a new volunteer. She has served on a Tree Board in her former home and now serves as an assistant professor in the landscape program at VTC. • John S asked members and volunteers to share their goals for 2014, both personal (related to trees!) and as a Board. The following were discussed: • Install compost in all downtown tree wells 2x/yr (spring and fall) and, in addition, gypsum in spring (Sarah) • Create a detailed database for downtown trees (John A) • Finish map of downtown watering spigots (John/Abby) • Follow-up with businesses about watering and caring for trees (Abby/Sarah) • Meet with Montpelier Alive to let them know of our plans and work (John S)  • “What might the city look like?”, envisioning trees (Bob) • Plant more trees along the river on Lower State Street (Geoff) • Continue to work on storm water management and Green Infrastructure Network (Kelly) • Expand tree planting opportunities and locations (all) Statehouse: angle parking, what • Plant more resistant elms! (Ellie) • Continue to improve the use and practices at the nursery (Stephanie/John S/Kelly) • Develop and propose new ideas to for downtown tree planting pits (John S) • Continue to work on inventory (John A, Geoff, Bob) • Connect with schools, maybe through NBNC, about EAB and trees (Abby/John A) Jeff indicated (via e-mail) that he will continue to work to improve the tree nursery • John S mentioned the Board will be co-sponsoring a workshop on Saturday, March 22 (10-12:30) where Washington County Forester David Wilcox will talk about tree pruning at the Kellogg Hubbard Library. • John S & Geoff will identify a couple of possible weeks in March when they too can present workshops on pruning trees. • John S also said he will be out of the country for the next meeting but will create a tentative agenda before he goes. • John S reminded all Board members they are invited by the City to the Legislative Welcome reception (Capitol Plaza, January 30, 5-7) and that each of us can bring a guest if we RSVP. If there are volunteers who would like to attend, please let him know. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 Next meeting: Thursday, February 6th, 5:30-6:30, at City Hall