|
|
|
|
TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
|
AUGUST 22, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman; Peter Viteretto; Laurel Lindstrom; Maribeth
Becker; Rich Whitehead.
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden; Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden
OTHERS: Jeanne McAndrew, Norwalk Tree Alliance
TREE LIAISONS: Tia Sidey, Farmcreek Org.; Ed Logan, Wilton Ave. Assoc.; Dianne Witkowsky, SHHA.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m.
2. APPROVE MINUTES
All present at the meeting took a few minutes to review the minutes of the July 25, 2006 meeting.
Corrections to the minutes of July 25, 2006 are as follows:
Page 1, add title of “Tree Liaisons” to the attendance list
at top of page.
Page 1, Item #2, Approve Minutes, Motion; change “submitted” to “amended.”
Page 2, 1st paragraph, change “Parks and Rec” to “Parks and Recreation”
Page 2, 2nd paragraph, change 1st sentence to read, “Mr. Alvord thanked the
Norwalk Tree Alliance for seeing that the first printing of the tri-fold brochure
was done.”
Page 2, 2nd paragraph, 6th sentence, change “on” to “in.”
Page 2, 2nd paragraph, 11th sentence, change “Mr. Slotnick” to “Mr. Slotnik”
and after the word “because” add “residents in the area are”.
Page 2, 3rd paragraph, change last line to read, “It has been decided that
the Home Depot Foundation will be invited to do the local presentation in
conjunction with the Mayor’s
dedication.”
Page 2, 4th paragraph, delete “installation of the” and replace with “completion
of the
arboretum”.
Page 2, last paragraph, change to read, “There was a report of a possible
illegal cutting on River
Road, which turned out to be false as the trees were not City trees, but privately
owned
trees.”
Page 3, Item #6, Discussion – Status of Tree Planting Program, a. Harbor Shores
plan, 1st
sentence, insert “and Mr. Nelson” after the word “he”.
Page 3, Item #6, Discussion – Status of Tree Planting Program, a. Harbor Shores
plan, 2nd
sentence, change spelling of “Olmstead” to “Almstead”.
Page 3, Item #6, Discussion – Status of Tree Planting Program, b. Sammis Street
Pumping
Station, last sentence, insert “with” after “visit”.
Page 4, 1st paragraph, 3rd line, insert “Agency” after “Norwalk Redevelopment”.
Page 4, 1st paragraph, 6th line, change to read, “….this information can be
submitted to the City
for entry into the GIS.”
Page 4, 16th line, change “set” to “rigid”.
Page 4, 2nd paragraph, 4th line, insert “pilot” after “launching a”.
Page 5, 1st paragraph, 2nd line, change “Katherine Westkey” to “Katherine
Pytleski”.
Page 5, 1st paragraph, 3rd line, change “Ms. Westkey” to “Ms. Pytleski”.
Page 5, 1st paragraph, 5th line, change “for the Home Depot” to “to the Home
Depot”.
Page 5, 1st paragraph, 7th line, change to read, “…spread among the DPW employees
as
additional duties.”
Page 5, 1st paragraph, 9th line, change “removing” to “removals”.
Page 5, 3rd paragraph, delete “without any indication” after “debunks it”.
Page 5, bottom of page, delete Ms. Soltes’ name because “a gentleman took
the minutes”.
** MR. VITERETTO MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MS. LINDSTROM SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. REPORT – INNER CITY URBAN FORESTRY GRANT – DEP INSPECTION
Mr. Alvord stated that Joe Cody of the Recreation & Parks Department has mowed the lawn. The dedication of the arboretum is scheduled for September 27, 2006 and he expects the Executive Director and the Program Manager of the Home Depot Foundation to attend.
Mr. Nelson asked who was in charge of publicity for the City. Mr. Alvord said he will write the press release and asked for a small team of people to make arrangements. Mr. Whitehead asked what time this would take place. Mr. Alvord said it will begin at noon and will incorporate some type of lunch, either they will all go out or they will bring food in. He suggested that anyone who was interested in working on the event arrangements please contact him.
4. REPORT – INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING
Mr. Sotnik stated there were no reports of any new cutting.
5. REPORT – ARBORETUM DEDICATION
Mr. Alvord stated this item had already been discussed earlier.
6. DISCUSSION – TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
a. Fall planting preparation – Harbor Shores, Farm Creek
Mr. Alvord stated that they were down to $34,000 in the tree planting account but the account will go back up to $52,000 when the grant money is received. A purchase order has been issued today for Almstead to begin removing dead trees. Ms. Sidey offered two sacks for water to be used on the trees. Mr. Alvord thanked Ms. Sidey for the offer but remarked that the City relies on Almstead to use treegators. A discussion followed about watering in Sammis Street. Mr. Alvord said he would hold off the fall plantings until September. Discussion followed regarding comments from the woman residing at 10 Ludlow Manor.
b. Guidebook for volunteers
Mr. Alvord stated that minimal progress has been made on the handbook. He has received the Princeton copy, which has most of the information they want, and he has been working with Jeanne McAndrew, who has contacted other organizations to request their guidebooks for review. Mr. Alvord stated that in September he should have a completed book for review at the next meeting.
7. INFORMATION COPIES
a. U.S. Mayor article on Award of Excellence.
b. DEP arboretum inspection report.
c. Program inquiry from National League of Cities.
d. Norwalk Citizen-News article on arboretum.
e. Advocate article on arboretum.
f. Tree City USA – Bulletin No. 9.
g. Arbor Day July/August 2006
Copies of each item listed above were distributed to the Committee members by Mr. Alvord.
8. DISCUSSION – NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES
Ms. Becker commented on the ongoing situation with Fodor Farm. A general discussion followed.
9. DISCUSSION – NTA ACTIVITIES
Ms. McAndrew informed the Committee that the Home Depot check had arrived with a specific request. She questioned how the money would be spent and suggested the Committee create a separate bank account to monitor use of the funds. Ms. McAndrew reported on the progress of the 28-page booklet about the arboretum, which was being transcribed by their teenage intern. She distributed a brochure to the members for review.
Ms. McAndrew stated that the tree at 124 East Avenue has been measured and the tree has been noted on the Historic Tree list. She reported there are now 88 trees on the list and the list can be found on their website. The list is set up by species and tree name, and no street numbers appear. Ms. Becker questioned the cutting down of the tree located at 124 East Avenue. Mr. Alvord said the City has no jurisdiction over private property in regards to cutting trees down. Ms. McAndrew cited the City ordinance for illegal tree cutting. Mr. Viteretto asked about the contractor value for trees. A discussion followed.
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. US Forest Service visit – October 18, 2006.
This visit will be the five-year review and will take place in the morning. Mr. Chris Donnelly will be attending.
Mr. Alvord reminded the Committee that there will be a DPW Open House on Saturday August 30th from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. and asked the members to encourage as many people as possible to attend.
Mr. Nelson stated that he plans to spend part of the $75,000 to fund an intern to assist Mr. Alvord. He asked the Committee for suggestions as to where to begin the search to find an intern. Mr. Alvord said that Mr. Donnelly sent a list of guidelines for finding an intern, and suggested a period of one year be set. He asked for a list of specific schools to be targeted in the search.
Mr. Logan inquired about the turnaround time and backlog for tree removal.
A discussion followed regarding Newtown Avenue and Murray Street.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Hayes
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |