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APRIL 25, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman; Rich Whitehead; Laurel Lindstrom; Peter Viteretto;
Maribeth Becker (6:12 p.m.)

STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden

OTHER: Dianne Witkowsky, Spring Hill Hospital Area Association;
Pam Garrett, Harbor Shores Association; Alan Kingsbury, Norwalk Tree Alliance;
Michael Mushak, Golden Hill Association (6:10 p.m.);
Dave Tracy, Norwalk Tree Alliance (6:10 p.m.); Diane Lauricella (6:15 p.m.) Nick Overall, Eastern Norwalk Neighborhood Association (6:08 p.m.)

ABSENT: Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

APPROVE MINUTES – TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF MARCH 28, 2006

** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2006 AS AMENDED.

Mr. Alvord provided copies of the minutes that he and Mr. Sotnik revised. Further corrections to the minutes are as follows:

On page 1, under APPROVE MINUTES – TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 28, 2006, 5th paragraph, change the motion to read “MR. RISING SECONDED” to “MR. WHITEHEAD SECONDED”.

On page 1, under the title OVERVIEW – IRVING FREESE PARK RENOVATION, Mr. Viteretto added the following comment: “The Redevelopment Agency missed the opportunity by not addressing the pedestrian streetscape with this park design”.

** MR. WHITEHEAD SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Overall arrived at 6:08 p.m.

REPORT - STATUS OF INNER CITY URBAN FORESTRY GRANT

Mr. Viteretto said that he, Mr. Bociek, Mr. Alvord and Mr. Whitehead have met several times to move the arboretum plan along. The signage work is moving along, and it appears that Mr. Tracy has taken over the signage operation for the arboretum.

Mr. Tracy and Mr. Mushak arrived at 6:10 p.m.

Mr. Viteretto said there could be a species selection problem with the silver maple. Chairman Nelson said there are two other maples, and he could get a linden. Mr. Viteretto said it would be better to go with a maple, as it was a maple grouping.

a. Arboretum Status

Mr. Alvord said the other six trees that have to go in to the arboretum have been staked. All of the stakes have been removed. Mr. Sotnik will coordinate with Mr. Bociek when the trees will be ready, and Mr. Sotnik will spray paint the areas where the trees are to be planted.

b. DEP Coordination

Mr. Alvord said as an alternative to the 19 trees, which are the screening trees along the back of the school playground area, and the 14 trees that were originally supposed to go to Ryan Park, he spoke with Mr. Chris Donnelly of the DEP and told him they were planning on doing alternative plantings at the school and at King Kennedy apartments. Mr. Alvord said that Mr. Donnelly asked him to send him a letter outlining the information, and that he was fine with it. He would then reply to Mr. Alvord with an approval.

Ms. Becker arrived at 6:12 p.m.

c. Housing Authority Coordination

Mr. Alvord said that he, Mr. Bociek, and Chairman Nelson met on Friday with Mr. Curtis Law, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority. They staked the locations for the trees that are going to go on their property, and they staked some additional locations on the school property. He and Chairman Nelson will be meeting with the Principal, Ms. Liberatore, on Friday morning to take her through the plan and determine the best timeframe for the events. He expected it to take about two days to do the sidewalk work. Chairman Nelson said that they also plan to talk with the Principal about the curriculum and what additional training and activities they might add to the arboretum. Mr. Alvord said that they will have to demonstrate the training and activities when the DEP inspects the project.

d. Additional Plantings

Mr. Alvord said they are on track with the trees being planted, the additional plantings, the walkway, and how the signs are going to be mounted. He feels there is enough time to get everything done by June 15th. There are three contractors working on quotes for the walkway construction. He doesn’t expect a problem with a timeframe with the contractors. He said they will excavate 8 inches, put 6 inches of process in, and they will put in a two-inch lift of asphalt. The final elevation of the asphalt will be at grade. It won’t create a maintenance issue for the Recreation and Parks Department. It is the best material for that location.

e. Donation

Chairman Nelson said that he had met with the Board of the 2nd Taxing District and used the layout that he got from Mr. Viteretto. He explained to the Board the history of how they had gotten into this, and what the opportunities were with it. He said the Board very graciously voted to give them $1,000.

f. School Coordination

Mr. Alvord said he and Mr. Nelson have a meeting scheduled with the Principal, Ms. Liberatore, on Friday morning. They will discuss the curriculum at that time.

g. Educational Materials

Mr. Alvord said Mr. Tracy and the Tree Alliance are working on the educational materials. He said he is not concerned about the budget, because he feels they will exceed the overall project budget.

h. In-Kind Services

Mr. Alvord said as a result of the Tree Alliance meeting on Thursday, Ms. McAndrews e-mailed a spreadsheet on tracking in-kind services. He would like people to fill out the spreadsheet and send it to him, so that they can track the value of in-kind services. There is a $3,600 piece in the overall grant budget. He will then email the spreadsheet to the people who have volunteered time for the project. He expects to be well over the budget requirements for in-kind services.

Chairman Nelson suggested that they discuss the signage and the installation of the signage by the volunteers. Mr. Alvord said the signs will be mounted on 4x4 posts. He said they will look into using a recycled plastic called TimberTech, which is long-lasting and is used for decks. The sign itself will be mounted on an angled piece measuring 2x6. There will be a similar arrangement for the larger signs, which will measure 24x32. Mr. Viteretto mentioned that they need to remind the Principal, Ms. Liberatore, about the water supply. Mr. Alvord said that Almstead will be responsible for the tree watering and overall maintenance of the tree(s) for the first year. The sign will be mounted in landscape orientation with an equal border around the sign itself with the wood background. It will be inset slightly to prevent vandalism. The signs will be anchored in concrete with a bolt through them so that they won’t be able to be pulled out of the ground.

Mr. Tracy provided everyone with a copy of the concept of the overall sign for the 21 trees. The concept is in cartoon form. The proposed text was shown, and he said they are working on the layout. He said he needs a definitive list of the common names of the 21 trees. He showed a 24x32, 16th aluminum sign, black on silver, that will be mounted on a very sturdy treated wood.

Ms. Lindstrom left at 6:25 p.m.

The members agreed that they liked the use of the term “sponsored by” for the sign. Chairman Nelson said that for the smaller sign, they had discussed putting the common name and the species name, and some other information on it. The members discussed the signs that Mr. Whitehead had provided. Mr. Whitehead will email the information to Mr. Tracy for him to reconfigure the graphics and templates once he receives it from Mr. Sotnik. The City seal will be put on the sign. Mr. Viteretto suggested putting the school name on the sign. It was mentioned that the size of the signs could prohibit that. Mr. Alvord said that the brochures and maps will say “Rosa Parks Arboretum at Columbus Magnet School”, but that wording won’t be put on anything that appears at the school. Mr. Viteretto said that it wasn’t so much about the school orientation, as it was having people knowing where they were as they walked through. There will be a zero gradient on the platform surrounding the large sign and the path so that a handicapped person can access the area where the sign is.

REPORT – INCIDENTS ILLEGAL CUTTING

Mr. Alvord said they received one report of an illegal cutting on Lexington Avenue. He said the individual asked for permission to cut the tree down. Mr. Chris Torre, the foreman for that area of the city and a Deputy Tree Warden, looked at the tree. Mr. Alvord said that they all agreed that the tree shouldn’t be cut down. The individual was told that, but the tree was cut down two days later. The City is in the process of fining and levying a tree replacement fee on the individual.

REPORT – TREE CITY USA

Mr. Alvord said that in his conversations with Mr. Chris Donnelly, he was told that the City has been recertified as a Tree City USA for this year. Mr. Alvord stated that Mr. Donnelly will try to provide him with a flag and a plaque in time for the Arbor Day ceremonies at Brookside School on Friday, April 28.

DISCUSSION – STATUS OF TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

a. Next 30 Locations Status

Mr. Alvord said the order for 12 trees was sent yesterday, April 24, 2006 to Almstead.

b. Golden Hill - Elmwood Avenue

Mr. Alvord said the order was placed on March 6, 2006. He said the trees will be planted as soon as possible. The arboretum and Columbus School trees will be planted first, and then the trees will be planted on Elmwood Avenue.

Ms. Becker said that on Lockwood Avenue, the resident wants a larger, Japanese red Maple instead of the smaller maple that has already been staked. She asked if the stake should be moved. The members agreed that the stake should be moved a few feet in order to avoid problems with “Call BeforeYou Dig”. Mr. Alvord suggested that they let Mr. Bociek know that the stake has been moved.

Mr. Mushak suggested that Mr. Bociek be provided with phone numbers of the Tree Liaisons or contact people in case he needs them the day he plants in their neighborhood. Mr. Alvord will give Mr. Mushak’s cell phone number to Mr. Bociek.

Chairman Nelson said that at exit 14 on I-95 northbound, the Golden Hill Neighborhood Association has an Adopt-A-Spot along with a gateway sign. Across the street, there was a large pile of rubbish left by the State when they changed the on-ramps to I-95. The area was then littered with additional debris. Mr. Mushak said that 5 truckloads of debris were removed. The area was then cleaned up, re-seeded, and they put rocks up to keep people from driving in to the spot. Chairman Nelson commended him for his efforts. Mr. Mushak said that there is another spot considered to be an eyesore, at the exit 15, I-95 on ramp on West Avenue. Mr. Alvord said that the State has an Adopt-A-Spot program. Chairman Nelson said that they could possibly find someone to partner with the Golden Hill Association in the State Adopt-A-Spot program.

Mr. Alvord said that there were previously 26 Adopt-A-Spots. They are now up to 50 spots, with some pending. If the signs were pulled for lack of maintenance, the interest level was then re-heightened. He asked the members to contact him if they know of any spots that are not being maintained properly, and he will then try to find a new sponsor for that spot. Chairman Nelson said that the properties involved are State, City, private, and commercial. Ms. Becker said that her neighborhood wants to take over the Sons of Italy Adopt-A-Spot. Mr. Alvord said he will talk to Rick’s Main Roofing Company again to ensure that he complies with the height of the sign, and the maintenance of the Adopt-A-Spot, or Mr. Alvord will take the sign out. The sign wouldn’t be destroyed, but kept in a safe spot until it is agreed that the sponsor will maintain the spot. If that isn’t agreeable, another sponsor will be found. Some discussion followed regarding the maintenance agreements of the Adopt-A-Spots. Mr. Alvord said that he and Chairman Nelson drive by the Adopt-A-Spots to determine if there appears to be any neglect. If work needs to be done, they call the sponsor to schedule a meeting so that they understand what the requirements are. Mr. Alvord said the authorization document is specific in defining that the sponsor(s) is responsible for keeping the spot litter free, with the grass mowed and shrubs pruned. The members discussed the possibility of forming an Adopt-A-Spot subcommittee, or having the Tree Liaison for that neighborhood monitor the spot. Mr. Alvord explained that Clean-N-Green provides the liability insurance for the program. The program is not City-chartered. Mr. Viteretto added that the Adopt-A-Spots present an image of the City, and when they are in decline, they present a negative image of the City. The members decided that they would work on the Adopt-A-Spot program after the Arboretum project is completed.

Mr. Alvord said that there won’t be any more tree orders placed until the fall. There might be a possibility that they could do Woodward Avenue before the weather gets too hot, if they come to a resolution.

Mr. Overall said that he had a resident contact him who requested that shrubs be planted instead of trees. Mr. Alvord said they would prefer not to plant shrubs on individual properties. If it was part of a street or neighborhood association plan, they might possibly consider it.

c. Harbor Shores Plan

Mr. Alvord said he had met with Ms. Garrett on Woodward Avenue on Friday. They came up with a reasonable approach for tree plantings on Woodward Avenue to accomplish what the residents want to do. They had also looked at Lowndes Avenue. He felt that they could do Woodward Avenue as one piece, and then finish the site visit and address the side streets as a second piece. Ms. Garrett said she has a meeting with Darien Asphalt at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. She said she has gone to the Tax Assessor’s office to get the contact information regarding the house that was sold. Ms. Garrett asked if she can contact a resident regarding banding the tree on her property. Mr. Alvord said she could call her, and he suggested that they call an arborist regarding the tree, as there were multiple trunks as well as numerous mature trees on the property.

d. Sammis Street Planting

Mr. Alvord said that he contacted Ms. Tia Sidey and told her that the new conduit has been put in. He said they will focus on the shrubbery and flowers on the pumping station itself to hide the appurtenances that are above ground. The contractor still has some driveway and clean-up work to do. He said he told Ms. Sidey that Sammis Street will be done in the Fall, after the Arboretum project and Harbor Shores are completed.

e. SoNo Alliance

Chairman Nelson said that this is a group of people that have been active in South Norwalk. They were previously in the Weed and Seed program, and the Sonic Program. They continue to meet at the new Police Station on a monthly basis. Mr. Shockley has been working with them on crime issues and other issues. He said that he and Ms. Garrett attended a meeting recently, where productive discussions resulted between Ms. Garrett and the residents. Ms. Garrett said they are trying to get interest levels generated on several streets. She said the area includes South Main, Lexington and Meadow Street. There is a woman named Pat McClester who lives on Concord Street, who has generated interest in 6 property owners there. She was able to continue getting people interested on Chestnut Street. She said that the goal was to re-establish the street tree canopy in SoNo. She said they have a new flyer that is being translated into Spanish. She said she spoke with Mr. Dumas, who maintains that his association, the South Main Street Neighborhood Association, wants to put trees in along the property that is now the Hatch and Bailey Company. In the area of Novak Street to Meadow Street, which is about 600 feet, trees on private property on one side of the street have been cut down. There appears to be an issue in the neighborhood regarding the trees, but Ms. Garrett said there is plenty of room on the front lawns of the properties on the other side of the street to plant street trees. She provided a copy of the petition she drafted for Mr. Dumas. She has tried to contact several people in the area. She felt that the interest level on Main Street, closer to the Police Station, was higher than others, and she said that the significant interest on South Main Street is focused on that piece of land. She also said the topography is not ideal in that area. There are power lines and right-of-way issues, and it was unsure if the railroad owned the property. They discussed the possibility of working in another area that would be more feasible.

Ms. Garrett said that people on Lexington Avenue don’t think they have enough room in their front yards to plant a tree. She said they have four people on the street who wish to participate. Mr. and Mrs. Navarro, along with Officer Ramirez, have worked hard on getting interested people to participate. Ms. Garrett said they are planning on having the next SoNo Alliance meeting at Lexington Avenue.

f. Guidebook for Volunteers

Mr. Alvord said that no progress has been made.

INFORMATION COPIES

a. Tree City USA Bulletin #7

Mr. Alvord distributed copies of the latest bulletin.

DISCUSSION – CITY TREE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Mr. Alvord said he read the ordinance that establishes the Tree Advisory Committee, and one of the chief tasks is to develop a tree management plan for the City. He asked if anyone had an idea of what that should look like. Chairman Nelson said that the plan should have six parts:

Inventory
Emergency
Maintenance and Removal
Planting
Notable Trees
Memorial Trees

Ms. Witkowski left at 7:25 p.m.

Chairman Nelson explained that the Norwalk Tree Alliance was going to be responsible for writing up the information on the Inventory, Notable Trees, and Memorial Trees part of the plan. The City already has the information on Emergencies and Maintenance and Removal, and what the tree program is. They have not put all the information together yet. He said they might be able to get some of the work started soon after other projects are completed, and he thought that a good portion of it could be done next winter.

ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES AT BROOKSIDE SCHOOL

Chairman Nelson said they had a good meeting at Brookside School. They are partnering with the Doubletree Hotel Organization. He said that during the day’s events, Mayor Moccia will read the Arbor Day Proclamation, Mr. Alvord will have a discussion on trees, the children will sing songs, and there will be prizes handed out for the winners of the poems, posters, and essays. He said Doubletree is handling the publicity for the event. The Doubletree advertisement will be in tomorrow’s edition of the Hour, and Channel 12 will feature it also. Doubletree is providing each child with a tee-shirt, hats, pencils, and cookies. Seedlings will also be provided. Chairman Nelson said that the nationwide Doubletree program selects one class each year to be featured, and this year it is a 2nd grade class. The teacher has a list of items to present to the children regarding Arbor Day. He said the 2nd grade class event is at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. He invited everyone to attend the festivities at the school on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 1:45 p.m.

DISCUSSION – NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES

Ms. Becker said that at their last meeting, they discussed West Avenue and zoning. The CNNA Zoning Committee
has been meeting weekly, and they had a meeting with developers to ask them what changes in zoning would help them better preserve the neighborhood. The information gathered from future meetings will be brought to the Planning and Zoning Committee. She said she is working with Mr. Shockley on the database of CNNA contact information, neighborhood boundaries, and tree liaison contact information.

DISCUSSION – NTA ACTIVITIES

Mr. Tracy said that they continue to search for new ideas for fundraising. The tree inventory season starts on May 17th. The major focus through the month of June will be the arboretum. Mr. Kingsbury said that one new fundraising idea was to get people to donate large items to them. It was suggested that the donation information be added to the Norwalk Tree Alliance website for people to be aware of. There is also a column on page 3 in the Norwalk Hour that would be helpful to advertise in.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Viteretto said that the goal of the Tree Advisory Committee is to get street trees out on the street. His concern is for trees that are part of the streetscape that are being cut down to make way for a house being built in the city. If the streetscape is being lost to development, how do they make the homeowner responsible for replanting. He said as far as he knows, there are no guidelines in place to ensure the City can request the homeowner to replant. He felt that it should be the decision of the Tree Advisory Committee. The streetscape canopy cannot be recreated for approximately 40 years, as it would take the trees that long to mature. In this particular situation, there were some sight line issues with some of the trees. Mr. Viteretto suggested that the Committee formulate an equation for Mr. Alvord and the Public Works Department to use to make sure trees are replanted. Some discussion followed regarding this particular property and the process involved with permits, zoning, etc. Mr. Alvord said that according to the ordinance, one of the key charter tasks of the Tree Advisory Committee is to advise the Tree Warden. Mr. Alvord asked if the goal was to get involved at every tree removal, and Mr. Viteretto said no.

Chairman Nelson said that they have received a letter from Mr. Wrinn of the Planning & Zoning Department regarding a request for the Marshall’s shopping center at the intersection of Westport Avenue and Strawberry Hill Avenue to cut some trees down and replace them with shrubs. Mr. Alvord and Chairman Nelson looked at the site and agreed that the trees should not be cut down. They drafted a letter that they will send to the Planning & Zoning Commission with the Committee’s approval.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr
Telesco Secretarial Services