Tree Board

Tree Board Regular Meeting Minutes 6 July 2017 5:30-6:30 Thursday City Hall Memorial Room Attending: Tree Board Members: Steve Bailey, Cassandra Hemenway, Sarah Hoffmeier, John Snell, Jeff Schumann, Lynn Wild Volunteers: Meredith Kitfield Parks Department: Emily Markstein, Geoff Beyer • Agenda Agenda approved with the following additions: • Arts Grant Application • Website/Facebook Discussion • Tree City Update • Approval of Last Meeting Minutes Minutes from the June 2017 meeting were approved with no changes • Public comments Merideth reported that the Senior Center and a number of large cardboard boxes that we could use at the tree nursery. She had the Senior Center save them in case tree board wanted them. Jeff volunteered to pick them up. Old Business • July 3rd Parade A round of applause was given to Lynn for her efforts in organizing and pulling off the Tree Board’s float. The following people helped plan, design/construct, or walk with the float in the parade; John Akielaszek, Steve Bailey, Geoff Beyer, Alec Ellsworth, Jeff Farber, Kathy Johnson, Meredith Kitfield, Lily Knight, Lex Leikin, Carol Montgomery, John Snell, Lynn Wild, and Ron Wild. A special thanks to Meredith for cleaning the two Tree City Banners and sewing sleeves in them to hold the support poles, making it much easier to carry them in the parade. • St. Paul Street Stewards Because of scheduling conflicts we were not able to present the teachers with their thank you gift at one of our meetings. Lynn, however, made the presentations in the classroom to both Mrs. Hickey (4TH grade) and Mrs. McGuiggan (5th grade) to acknowledge their support of the tree Page 1 of 3  steward pilot curriculum by giving each a copy of “The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giono. In addition, this past year’s student tree stewards wrote letters to next year’s students about the trees they planted and cared for. • VCFA Tree Planting John S reported that VCFA is very appreciative of the Freeman Maple that was planted on the green and that it is doing well. • Signs for Downtown Trees Emily passed around a mockup of the signs for members to review. It is planned to attach the signs to the tree guards. We are still working out a way to attach them to trees without tree guards. Lynn reported that the estimated cost for the signs would be $375 and that if the Tree Board can contribute half that amount and anonymous donor will match the rest. John S. said that before we can proceed in further we will need to get approval from Montpelier Alive. Emily will follow up with Montpelier Alive on this. • Berlin Street Orchard Discussion Cassandra wanted guidance from the Tree Board on how to proceed with this project. It was decided that we needed a plan on the steps to be taken and run that by DPW. We will also need to decide on what to plant. It was suggested that we talk with a fruit tree export to see what would be appropriate to plant. The UVM Extension Service – Master Gardeners program might offer some advice. A sub-committee led by Cassandra will be set up to follow up on this. Anyone interested in helping should contact Cassandra. • Grates/Guards Inventory John S. reported that John A. and Bob has completed the inventory and sent the results to John S. He will consolidate the results and come up with a cost estimate as to what is needed. • Arts Grant Application Lynn reported that the application had been submitted but we did not get it. • Website/Facebook Discussion It was decided that to begin with we will use the city’s website. At a later date we may create a Facebook page. Cassandra and Jeff will work on this and have an outline at the next meeting. John S. will sketch out some ideas and Lynn as information about the Tree Stewards project that can be used. It was also suggested that volunteer activities be highlighted. • Urban Forestry Grant Geoff reported that they did not receive the full amount applied for. The grant money was to be used for arborist test, climbing gear, and Rec Center tree replacement. Geoff and staff are now reviewing what to use the money for. • Tree City Update Lynn is working on a plan to have next May designated as Tree City, along the line of Poem City. The overall idea is to capture and encourage residents interest in city trees. She would like Page 2 of 3  proper mulching of trees to be a major topic. She will be setting up a Brain Storming meeting soon and should have a more detail report at the August meeting. New Business • Replacing Two Downtown Trees Two city trees have been damaged by plows and need to be replaced. The one by the clock on State Street can be replaced now. The plan is to replace it next week with a Honey Locust tree. The one on Main Street will have to wait until the city finishes sidewalk work. • Tree Walk Hubbard Park – H.O.W.L. John S. will be leading a tree walk in Hubbard Park as part of H.O.W.L. It will be Saturday, 22 July. Time to be determined. • Terrace Street Project Sarah brought up that she would like to get started on the Terrace Street tree steward project with the hopes of starting to plant this fall. She will be getting a map of utilities as a starting point so we know what areas to avoid. • Next Scheduled Work Days Saturday, July 15 10, 9-12 TBD – John S. will send out an email. Thursday, June 20, 9-12 Mulching trees on Stonecutters Way and behind the Rec Center. Lynn volunteered to pick up mulch from Fontaine’s. Next meeting Thursday, 3 August, 5:30-6:30 at City Hall Page 3 of 3