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TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
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SEPTEMBER 26, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman; Peter Viteretto; Laurel Lindstrom; Rich
Whitehead; Maribeth Becker (6:09).
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden; Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden
OTHERS:
TREE LIAISONS: Dave Tracy, Norwalk Tree Alliance; Tia Sidey, Farm Creek Association.; Dianne Witkowsky, SHHA; Michael Mushak, Golden Hill Association (6:09).
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:07p.m.
2. APPROVE MINUTES
All present at the meeting took a few minutes to review the minutes of the August 22, 2006 meeting.
Corrections to the minutes of August 22, 2006 are as follows:
Page 1, remove “Jeanne McAndrew, Norwalk Tree Alliance” from
Tree Liaisons and add to
Others.
Page 2, Item #2, Approve Minutes, Motion; correct spelling of “Mr. Viterello”
to “Mr.
Viteretto”.
Page 2, Item #3, 1st paragraph, last sentence, change to read, “…..and the
Program Manager of
the Home Depot Foundation to attend.”
Page 3, Item #6, a. Fall planting preparation, 5th line down, change “gators”
to “tree gaitors”.
Page 3, Item #6, b. Guidebook for volunteers, 3rd line down, change “Jean”
to “Jeanne
McAndrew”.
Page 4, Item #10, New Business, 2nd paragraph, correct time of open house
from “9:00 am to
noon” to “10:00 am to 1:00 pm.”
Page 4, Adjournment, change sentence to read, “Meeting was adjourned at 7:43
p.m.”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MR. WHITEHEAD SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. REPORT – INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING
Mr. Sotnik gave a brief report on illegal cutting.
4. ARBORETUM DEDICATION – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2006
Mr. Alvord reported that the dedication will take place at noon on Wednesday September 27. Weather forecast is 71 degrees under sunny skies. Hoping for a fantastic turnout. Attendees will include Fred Borman, Chris Donnelly and Kelly Caffarelli of the Home Depot Foundation. 365 students from Columbus School will participate.
Mr. Viteretto inquired about the parking. Mr.Alvord said they will be able to handle the parking with no problems. The Police Department will be assisting.
Mr. Alvord reported that there are now twenty-one trees in the arboretum: each will be marked with a yellow ribbon .
5. DPW OPEN HOUSE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
Mr. Nelson said that we were hoping for a very well attended event and described some of the activities that will take place.
Mr. Alvord stated that South Smith Street will be renamed the Donald E. Scott Memorial Drive at a dedication to be held on September 30, 2006, prior to the DPW Open House.
6. TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
a. Fall planting preparation – Harbor Shores, Farm Creek
Mr. Alvord reported that he is missing the Excel spreadsheet for Harbor Shores
and discussed the area in front of Darien Asphalt. He said he can’t put the
purchase order together until he gets the Excel spreadsheet from Pam Garrett.
Ms. Sidey asked if a tap could be put in to help with watering. Mr. Alvord
said that this was not necessary.
b. Procedure for removals
Mr. Alvord said they have arrived at the process and the purchase price for Almstead to remove dead trees.
Mr. Nelson said there should be a planting list of people who have applied as individuals and asked if the list would be ready soon. Mr. Alvord said it would not.
Mr. Mushak asked about the grant. Mr. Alvord said the DEP grant money has been received and has been deposited to their account.
c. Guidebook for volunteers
Mr. Alvord said the guidebook has not yet been worked on because he hasn’t had time to begin due to his being too busy. A brief discussion followed.
7. UNDER INVESTIGATION
a. Yard debris removal, wood chipping, Fairfield programs
Mr. Nelson reported that the Town of Fairfield takes their yard debris, chops it into chips and there is a place in the town where the chips are stored. The town sells the chips to people for mulch, and also for particleboard. He suggested they find a way to work with the Town of Fairfield to see if they can bring debris there, or possibly create a similar program in Norwalk. Mr. Alvord said it costs Norwalk a million and a half dollars each year to ship out yard debris, and that if they could figure out a way to do the same thing Fairfield does, it might bring additional revenue to the City.
b. Tree warden, intern job descriptions
Mr. Nelson said he has spoken with Chris Donnelly and would like to develop a permanent, funded position in the City of Norwalk. Mr. Viteretto suggested that if the City sold wood chips as Fairfield does, this money could be used to fund that position. A brief discussion followed.
8. INFORMATION COPIES
a. DEP reminder on Tree City USA reapplication.
Mr. Alvord distributed copies of the letter from the DEP and a bulletin from
Tree City USA.
9. DISCUSSION – NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES
Ms. Becker stated that there will be an event held at the Norwalk Museum on Thursday, October 28 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.. This will be a social event and discussion, and interested parties can view information on the CNNA website.
10. DISCUSSION – NTA ACTIVITIES
Mr. Tracy said they had been getting ready for the Arboretum dedication. He reported that there has been a printing of a new version of the NTA brochure. He said they have made progress on the Arboretum booklet but that it has been a lot of work.. Mr. Tracy said there had been the possibility of getting volunteers from Tauck Tours but they are now unable to participate this year. He commented on the ongoing situation with the Federal grant.
11. NEW BUSINESS
a. US Forest Service visit – October 18, 2006.
Mr. Alvord reported that he had been contacted by the magazine “New Ecology” and had spoken with them for a case study to appear in a future issue.
Mr. Alvord reminded everyone of the Forest Service visit scheduled for October 18th. He said that the State Division of Forestry is reviewed by the US Forest Service in five year cycles. The Norwalk DPW will be hosting the visit this year.
Mr. Viteretto distributed documents on tree planting guidelines that are used by architects and commented about requirements regarding sustainable urban trees.
Mr. Alvord commented on the CL&P alternate route for the power line, highlighting the fact that CL&P has offered to plant trees along Main Street. He will be going to walk the route with them. A brief discussion followed.
Ms. Lindstrom left the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
Ms. Witkowski discussed at length the Pathmark property and the planned development to take place there involving Avalon Bay. She is concerned about the mature trees on Belden Avenue and what will happen to them once the projects for that area begin. A lengthy discussion followed.
12. ADJOURNMENT
** MR. WHITEHEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. VITERETTO SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Hayes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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