Tree Commission

CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS TREE COMMISSION DARLEEN MELIS, CHAIR 57 ORNE STREET KIRT RIEDER, VICE CHAIR SALEM, MA 01970 TEL. 978-745-0195 FAX 978-741-7041 ROBERT LEBLANC, TREE WARDEN KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL MAYOR MINUTES OF THE SALEM TREE COMMISSION January 19, 2021 A meeting of the Salem Tree Commission was held on January 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., via ZOOM, an online video conference call system. Present on call were: Chair Darleen Melis, Vice Chair Kirt Rieder, Members: Joshua Arenstam, Naomi Cottrell, Curtis Dragon, Paul L’Heureux, Rachel McCarter, David Rowand, Susan Yochelson and Tree Warden Robert LeBlanc and Commission Clerk Joanne Roomey. 1. Tree Warden’s Report • Grant Updates: There are no new updates for any of the grants that Salem has applied for in 2021. • The Salem tree crew is performing winter tree maintenance and pruning. • Nationalgrid is 95% complete on the citywide circuit trimming. They will notify the city when they are complete. • The Tree City U.S.A. application has been signed by the mayor and sent to the state DCR. In discussion, both Ms. Cottrell and Mr. Rieder noted that trees at Old Town Hall had been nicked by nearby construction activities. Mr. Rieder observed that the Design Review Board has oversight for that project. 2. DCR Urban and Community Challenge Grant – Survey update Mr. James MacArthur, Professional Environmental Services James MacArthur, Professional Environmental Services, has been working on the DCR Challenge Grant survey. He created an Excel spreadsheet of locations included in the 2018 Urban Tree Survey with data from Jack Nessen. Ms. Melis will rework the information into survey forms by ward and precinct. Volunteers from the commission will make field visits to validate conditions at those locations in Wards 3, 4 and 6. Mr. MacArthur will do the same for the other four wards. In addition, he will survey all city streets to identify suitable, street tree planting locations and will identify them by latitude/longitude. 3. Greening of the Gateway Cities-upcoming meeting with DCR - The meeting scheduled for January 21, 2021 will kick-off the planning process for the spring tree planting. 4. Remarks from the Public – None 1 5. Approve Tree Commission Minutes of December 21, 2020 Mr. Arenstam made a motion to approve the Tree Commission Minutes of December 21, 2020. Seconded by Ms. Yochelson. A roll call vote was taken, Ms. Cottrell and Mr. Dragon abstained, and the motion carried with seven votes in favor. 6. Salem Tree Fund – Century Tree sites for spring 2021 – PR efforts Ms. Melis presented bullet points that could be included in a PR statement for the upcoming Century Tree tagging ceremony with Mayor Driscoll. • Century Tree sites • The Salem Tree Fund • Encouraging people to plant trees on their front or back yards Commission members offered multiple other points that might be included in the press release. Ms. Yochelson and Ms. Melis will work together on this project. For spring planting of more Century Trees, Mr. LeBlanc will update the commission whether the Salem Tree Funds have been augmented. By last count, the fund should support plantings at Emmerton House and Albion Street. The remaining fifth site still needs to be determined. Mr. Arenstam suggested an open area on Webb Street opposite #1 Allen Street. 7. Century Tree tagging event with Mayor Driscoll Mr. LeBlanc and Ms. Melis will meet with Mayor Driscoll on February 23, 2021 to tag the Century Tree at Dalton Parkway. 8. Salem Landscape Tree Guide The commission chair noted that Mr. MacArthur’s guide would need an additional 40 pages of tree specifications to align with Salem’s planting list. Mr. LeBlanc pointed out that the DCR and other organizations have competing tree lists and does not advise working on this document at this time. 9. New Business - None 10. Next Meeting Dates: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM and Monday, March 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM. 11. Adjournment - Mr. Rieder made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Rowand. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joanne M. Roomey Commission Clerk Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 2