City Council

City of Salem, Massachusetts “Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A ss. 18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033.” The City Council Committee on Government Services co-posted with the Committee of the Whole met in the Council Chamber on _July 9, 2025 _______________________ at _______6:00 PM_________ for the purpose of discussing the matters(s) listed below. Notice of this meeting was posted on __________________July 3, 2025_________________________ at _______1:08__ P.M.__________________ (This meeting is being recorded) ATTENDANCE GS – Varela (chair), Merkl, Harvey, Morsillo. COW – Prosniewski, Jerzylo, ABSENT WERE: GS – Stott. COW – Davis, Watson-Felt, Hapworth, Cohen. SUBJECT(S) # 135A Tree Commission Appointees – Applications _ (not co-posted)_______________________________________________ # 318 City Council to delegate authority to City Clerk for use of City Council Chamber and Ante Room with the City Council___ President’s Approval. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Varela – We'll need to consider applications submitted by interested residents for the Tree Commission. Applications were due to the City Clerk by May 16, 2025. The available City Council appointments for the Commission include a member who is a licensed landscape architect or certified arborist, and an alternate member of the general public. We have several applicants here and we will start with David Livingston because he has a night class. These are interviews for the spots on the commission. We will have you speak briefly about your expertise and why you want to do this, then we will ask you some questions. David Livingston – I want to join the commission after a volunteer position. I am passionate about trees and the well-being that trees bring to us. They are important for urban landscapes for Salem’s diverse community. I have a background in the arts, and I could help the Tree Commission promote itself. I think I can reach others in the community to make people more aware of the amazing things that the commission does in Salem. I value nature and birds too. We need to create spaces for them. I am not a tree expert. Varela – What kind of commitment can you bring to the committee for meetings? Livingston – I have regular night classes, so I would have to check with my professors and take a night off. Morsillo – I am the liaison to the committee, and I have been attending the meeting to get the idea of the make up of the committee and the needs. We need a lot more education to the public on how to take care of their trees, so they last longer. Your art, design and education experience could make a difference. Can you talk a little bit about that? Livingston – As an educator, I am good at communicating with younger people. I am learning more about what this position entails. I have taught people of all ages. People need to know why they should value trees and what they offer us and our ecology. I think people take trees for granted and just think of them as shade. I could help design informational flyers outside of just going to the meetings. Merkl – I do value that you could create outside of meetings. How about social media? Flyers? Maria Connel – Passionate about Salem, the ecosystem and trees but I don’t have a deep background. Volunteer with the Salem Beautification Committee. I applied for this role 3 years ago but there were others that were more qualified. That didn’t make me less passionate. I have learned more about our ecosystem since then and I keep up with tree health and tree issues. Varela – What is your commitment to attend the meetings. Conel – I have marked them on my calendar and will also add more of the volunteer meetups to my calendar as well. Morsillo – I remember you from las time and I appreciate that you are learning more about trees. Merkl – I appreciate that you are working on getting certifications. How long do the classes take? Conel – They are work at your own pace self-study and it usually takes me about 3 months to get through a class. Flora Tonthat – I started my own B&B in 2002. I am very passionate about the ecosystem. I have a tech background. I found out about the gas leaks because of the trees because of a fungus that grows. I raise butterflies. Took over traffic islands in the city and created a pollinator garden. Worked on the DCR tree program. Worked on getting the right trees in the right locations. Saved some trees in the neighborhoods. Rallied the neighborhood to raise money to get the watering truck. Advocated for the Mack Park Garden. We know that trees communicate. We want the trees to do well. I also volunteer with the Bittersweet Brigade to keep it from choking the trees. Varela – Can you speak more about your experience at Gonyea Park? Tonthat – That was a challenge because it was only 3 feet deep, so they created a garden with berry trees which created a nice ecosystem with biodiversity and fruit. They worked to pick appropriate trees. Morsillo – I appreciate the work you did on Gonyea Park. That was a lot of red tape to get the EPA paperwork completed and closed. Why weren’t the trees being water by the city? Tonthat – It was part of the DCR program and not a city program. Merkl – I am familiar with the work you did at Gonyea Park to get those trees planted and keep them thriving. Tonthat – I want to add that I am still working on the trees in the neighborhood and learning a lot from Chris Burke. There is a huge ash tree on Northey St. that I am working with the neighborhood to try and save. Morsillo – I was happy to see the Bittersweet Brigade on two of the applications tonight. Varella – Those were the 3 applicants for the alternate member of the general public, and we are going to move on to a member who is a licensed landscape architect or a certified arborist. We will speak to Jacob St. Louis. Jacob St. Louis – I have been a professional Arborist for 9 years. I am certified with the Massachusetts Arborist Association and the International Society of Agriculture. Lived in Salem for 5 years and since I have lived here, I have been trying to be involved with the community and have been involved with the Bittersweet Brigade and Green Lawn Cemetery. Urban tree canopies are an incredibly important part of any city. They're going to do a lot for Heat Island effect. They're going to do a lot to cool temperatures. And so that's going to save residents money on summertime energy bills. It's going to be something that's going to help with stormwater management. It's a big deal that is very easy to overlook. This is what I do professionally so, this is a service that I can offer. Varela – Can you speak about what you do professionally? And will you have any problems making the meetings? St. Louis – I am the tree warden and arborist for the City of Everett. I can make the meetings. I have been tuning in remotely already.