Tree Board

Tree Board Regular Meeting Minutes 7 September 2017 5:30-6:30 Thursday City Hall Memorial Room Attending: Tree Board Members: John Akielaszek, Jeff Schumann, Lynn Wild Volunteers: Meredith Kitfield, Ken Libertoff Parks Department: Geoff Beyer Note: There were not enough Tree Board members for a quorum. • Agenda Agreed to proposed agenda • Approval of Last Meeting Minutes Agreed to approve the minutes from the August 2017 meeting • Public comments None Old Business • Schedule tentative planting dates for two downtown trees with Geoff (John S will order two Honeylocust trees when schedule is known) We agreed that, for greater diversity, a Freeman Maple and a Honeylocust should be planted instead of two Honeylocust trees. Geoff agreed with this and will bring it up with John. • Tree City project update There will be a full report at the October meeting. • Berlin Street Orchard Project Update John A. gave the reported the following information that he had received from Cassandra. A grant from Hunger Mountain Coop for 6 trees and soil amendments was applied for. Cassandra will need to coordinate with John S. on soil testing. • Washington County Sheriff’s Cedar Hedge From John S: he and Bob pruned it and raked out the bed, awaiting funds from County for Pro- gro to complete CFA Tree Planting. • Update on Park Department Work in August Page 1 of 3  Geoff reported that they had to do a lot of clean up in the park due to downed trees. This work continues. They received a grant for $3,700. The funds will be used to replace 5 downtown trees, create a management plan based on the inventory that was done, and training for Park employees. He also got a notice from the community garden that they would like us to fix the gate into the tree nursery. This is to be scheduled. • Guertin Parklet (on bike path near district heating plant) The structure has been installed; the committee would still like the Tree Board to consider installing trees or possibly vines on the back side; John S requests all visit the site and we can make a decision at next meeting. It was suggested that we get in touch with Sarah to arrange a visit when she is available to get her design input. Jeff will contact her. • Update on 2017 personal goals John S asked that each of us think back to the goals we set for ourselves in January, see if they are still important and, if so, recommit yourselves to achieving them rates/Guards Inventory. New Business • Broken tree reported by Meredith on Stonecutters Way John S. proposes we replace this in September with a tree from the nursery It was noted that this tree has new growth coming up and rather than replacing it we could wait and see if it recovers sufficiently on its own. It was mentioned that there are two trees on Barre St. that are not growing and Geoff will take a look at them. • John S. has several trees tentatively flagged for fall planting from nursery stock, including: o 40 Barre Street (Down Street building) to replace Oak killed during construction last year o 178 and 184 Barre St, properties owned by Steve Ribolini both excellent sites for large trees, Steve and John are finalizing locations • John S is tentatively scheduled to lead a downtown tree walk as part of the State Street closure in the afternoon of Saturday, Sept 23 Other Business • Maple Lane There are new housing units going up on Maple Lane near the Coop and it was noted that Maple Lane does not have any trees. It was suggested that the Tree Board look into planting maple trees on Maple Lane of different species. Page 2 of 3 • Paving Verses Grates There was a discussion of the value of instead of using grates paving up close to the trunk of city trees for trees that are NOT salt tolerant. This has been used somewhat successfully in other localities and it may be something the Tree Board considers. • Enchanted Forest in Hubbard Park Geoff wanted everyone to spread the word that this year’s Enchanted Forest will be held on 14 Oct, from 4 to 9 pm. He is open to the idea of the Tree Board participating in the event, maybe with a “celebrating trees” theme. He also said that if anyone knows of entertainers who might be willing to perform an 8 minute show at the event to have them contact Geoff directly. September workdays • Saturday, September 16 19, 9-noon • Thursday, September 20, 9-noon (Note: John S cannot be at this one) Possible tasks: planting two trees downtown, work in nursery, planting out nursery trees, invasives It was noted that some of the baskets put around the trees along the bike path to protect from beavers are getting too small and should be replaced/removed. Next meeting Thursday, 5 October, 5:30-6:30 at City Hall Page 3 of 3