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TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
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JUNE 26, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman; Laurel Lindstrom, Peter Viteretto,
Rich Whitehead (6:10 p.m.); Maribeth Becker (6:30 p.m.)
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden; Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden
NORWALK TREE ALLIANCE: David Tracy
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE LIAISONS: Diane Witkowsky, Spring Hill/Hospital
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES OF TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 22, 2007
Please note the following corrections:
Page 2, paragraph 7: please change from the following:
“Chairman Nelson said that there had been a meeting with Harbor Shores to view 29 trees and shrubs that had been planted. There was a discussion as to whether to change some of the plantings from shrubs to trees.
There was also a brief discussion about an e-mail that had been sent to Mr. Whitehead.”
TO: “Chairman Nelson said that there had been a meeting with
Harbor Shores to
review 29 trees and shrubs that are to be planted. There was a discussion
about
changing some of the requested plantings.”
Page 3, paragraph 1: please change the following:
“Some of the work has been completed on the guidebook with the help of an
un-
named volunteer. Nine trees have been completed at this point.”
TO: Alan Kingsbury has completed more of the work on the guidebook
with the
assistance of a volunteer who has been doing the computer portion of the work.
Nine trees have been completed at this point.”
Page 3, paragraph 3, please omit the following: “Mr. Sotnik
said that the Third Taxing
District is a municipality within a municipality and is in need of its own
tree warden.”
Page 3, paragraph 4: please add the following paragraph:
“There was also a brief discussion about a letter that had
been sent from Mr.
Viteretto to Mr. Whitehead on Tree Advisory Committee letterhead
Concerning CL&P tree replanting at Riverside Cemetery.”
Page 3, paragraph 7, please change the following from:
“There was nothing to report about the tree replacements on
Calf Pasture Beach at
this time.”
TO: “There was nothing to report about the tree replacements
on Calf Pasture
Beach at this time since Mr. Viteretto and Mr. Whitehead were absent, so the
Item was tabled.”
Page 3, paragraph 8, please change the following from:
“Mr. Sotnik stated that the position was almost ready and that
all that was needed
was to put together a final job description. There was a brief discussion
about the
proposed payment arrangements.”
TO: “Mr. Sotnik stated that the City currently has in their
possession a job
description for a Municipal Forester that would have to be customized for
the
specific City requirements. He stated that the description was almost ready
and
all that remained was to put together the final job description. Mr. Sotnik
stated
that even though the school year is over for many of the Colleges, we could
send
the job description to the schools and wait for a response. There was a brief
discussion about the Norwalk Tree Alliance having to transfer funds received
from the Home Depot Award to the City account to pay the intern prior to
advertising the position. He stated that it is usually the City policy that
the
funds to pay for a position have to be available prior to the advertising
the
position.”
Page 4, paragraph 2: please add the following from:
“Shady Beach or Cranbury Park were suggested as possible locations
for the
2008 Tree Festival.”
Page 4, following NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION: please change the following from:
“There was a lengthy discussion about some concerns dealing
with proposed tree
cuttings and how the information about the cuttings was being shared with
the public.”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE TREE WARDEN CONTACT THE LOCAL PRESS TO ALERT NORWALK RESIDENTS OF THE RENNOVATION PROJECT GOING ON AT NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL. THIS IS RELATED TO THE NEW ADDITION ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL AND THE PARKING LOT EXTENTION. THIS PROJECT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE SELECTED REMOVAL OF SOME TREES AND THE PLANTING OF TWENTY-TWO REPLACEMENT TREES.
** MS. BECKER SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
TO: Mr. Sotnik presented the project for the removal of 17 trees
for the expansion of the parking lot at Norwalk High School and the proposed
replacement
Plantings to the members of the Committee.
There was a lengthy discussion about some concerns dealing with
proposed tree
cuttings and how the information about the cuttings was being shared with
the public.”
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO SUGGEST THAT THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THAT THE TREE WARDEN CONTACT THE LOCAL PRESS TO ALERT NORWALK RESIDENTS OF THE RENNOVATION PROJECT GOING ON AT NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL. THIS IS RELATED TO THE NEW ADDITION ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL AND THE PARKING LOT EXPANSION. THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF SOME TREES AND THE PLANTING OF REPLACEMENT TREES.
** MS. BECKER SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Page 4, paragraph 6, please change the following:
“Mr. Sotnik reported that Mr. Alvord had received a contact from Mr. Donnelly
for grants for the Urban Green & Community Garden Initiative.
Mr. Sotnik handed out a chart showing the targeted communities for the Initiative.”
TO: “Mr. Sotnik reported that Mr. Alvord had been contacted by Mr. Donnelly about grants for the Urban Green & Community Garden Initiative.
Mr. Sotnik handed out an email and chart showing the targeted communities for the Initiative.”
Page 5, please change the following from:
NEW BUISNESS
Mr. Sotnik presented pictures of an area for the new bike path that was part of a state parcel. The location of the area is near the YMCA and the Columbus Memorial across the street. Some of the trees in the area are considered invasive species.
Mr. Sotnik reviewed the proposed plans for the parcel with the committee.
TO: NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Sotnik presented pictures and a plan of an area along Connecticut Avenue behind the YMCA at the bridge abutment where additional clearing of trees that are an invasive species would be done as part of the new bike trail project. He stated that the area was DOT property.
Mr. Sotnik reviewed the proposed plans for the parcel with the
committee and
stated that volunteers might be needed in the future to design and carry out
a planting plan.
REPORT – INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING.
There were no new reports of illegal cutting.
Mr. Whitehead joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
TREE PLANTING PROGRAM.
a. Look ahead to spring plantings.
Mr. Sotnik reported that he had been told that Harbor Shores was ready for planting. When he went to check, nine of the fifteen sites were missing stakes or needed some additional work. One more additional check will be done on the 27th to insure all the stakes have been properly replaced and then the order for the various trees and shrubs will be placed.
Mr. Whitehead then reported on the situation with Riverside Cemetery where CL&P removed 24 trees along the roadside. CL&P has agreed to replace the 24 trees they removed. He then reviewed the details and said that the planting will begin in the fall, but certain species will also be planted in the spring. Mr. Whitehead said that CL&P intended to use 1” caliper trees, but he had suggested that the replacement trees be 6” caliper.
The discussion then moved to the area in front of St. Mary’s Cemetery on Broad Street. Customers of an auto repair shop had parked vehicles on the cemetery side of the street and the wrought iron fencing had been knocked over in various places. The property between the fence and the road belongs to the City and now has a curb. The area needs to be staked before the trees can be planted. Mr. Alvord asked Mr. Whitehead to notify him before the staking was done. The location of both the underground and overhead utilities was then discussed. Mr. Whitehead said that he would suggest sycamore trees for that area.
Mr. Viteretto then discussed the possible replacement of a red maple on Comstock Hill Avenue. A tulip and another dead tree were removed from the property and one of the trees will be replaced.
b. Focus on Neighborhood Approach
Mr. Alvord re-emphasized the success of focusing the tree planting program on working with neighborhood groups. He Informed the Committee that the requested plantings on Concord would be done, but the spaces need to be checked to ensure they will allow adequate and healthy growth. Because residents of the area do not show much interest in the program or in a neighborhood association effort, the chances of the trees surviving are slim.
c. Volunteer Guidebook
Chairman Nelson commented that he thought that having the guidebook would help create interest in the program. Mr. Alvord said that the neighborhood associations that already have tree liaisons that are involved in the program are likely to stay that way, while the other areas do not appear to have much interest in the program. Mr. Viteretto commented that he suspected there was a high correlation between rental areas and lack of program interest. Mr. Alvord suggested that the Committee consider using the Adopt-A-Spot program for areas that need plantings but have little local neighborhood interest. He also said that there were more groups interested in Adopt-A-Spot than the number of spots available.
The discussion then moved back to the details of the work at Riverside Cemetery.
Mr. Alvord said that he had received all the materials from Mr. Kingsbury, but had not had time to review the guidebook information yet.
Ms. Becker joined the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
INFORMATION COPIES:
a. Tree City USA Bulletin No. 13
Mr. Alvord distributed copies of the Tree City USA bulletin No. 13 to the Committee members.
URBAN WATERSHED FORESTRY MANUAL
Mr. Alvord reported that two new books titled “Urban Watershed Forestry Manual, Pt 1 & Pt. 2” have been added to the DPW library.
PLANNING FOR ARBOR DAY 2008
Chairman Nelson gave a quick update on the planning for Arbor Day 2008.
TREE REPLACEMENT ON CALF PASTURE BEACH ROAD.
Mr. Viteretto displayed a long aerial view of Calf Pasture Beach Road with an overlay showing where the trees were located. He informed the group that the Charles Cove Condominiums have black pines planted on the inside of the brick wall. These are now dying off and will need to be replaced by the condo association at some point in the not too distant future. Mr. Alvord suggested that the group contact the condo association and give them some suggestions about possible species that would be better suited for the area to replace the black pines. Mr. Whitehead said that he would contact the condo association about this.
Mr. Whitehead then directed the Committee’s attention to the inventory sheet he had prepared. He pointed out that it was evident that there had been some previous planning and planting in the area because all of the trees along the street were planted 25’ off the centerline. Mr. Whitehead pointed out that where there were gaps along the road; he found stumps from the trees that had been removed. Unfortunately, the trees were mostly Norway maples, which are considered an invasive species and also do not flourish well near salt water. Mr. Viteretto suggested that one strategy would be to replace the trees in the gaps and then begin to take out the ones that need to be removed.
Mr. Viteretto then passed around a foldout containing some photographs of the Olmstead Parkway.
The discussion then centered on the median dividers along Calf Pasture Beach Road. Mr. Viteretto said that if the northern most median dividers could be planted with grass, it would help with the overall streetscape. Mr. Viteretto then commented that the City could not pick a better street for planting a canopy over the road because of the location of the overhead utilities. Mr. Alvord said that Recreation and Parks Department maintenance responsibility stops at the medians that are already green because the department does not have the resources to plant or maintain any additional medians. He also said that he believes the northern medians are only about eight inches of asphalt. Plantings could be done there, Mr. Alvord said, and then suggested that perhaps they could be Adopt-A-Spots. It was then asked if the Committee could set the criteria for the type of planting to go along those medians. Mr. Alvord said that it would be possible as an Adopt-A-Spot. Mr. Nelson suggested that perhaps the Condominium Association might be interested in maintaining the upper medians.
Mr. Whitehead said that there were a number of trees that would have to be removed and he then gave Mr. Sotnik some of the removal notifications that he had found torn off the trees. It would also be important to maintain the water view.
The discussion then turned to the landscaping around Taylor Farm. Mr. Whitehead said that he had noticed a number of trees that were particularly nice but were being choked out by vines on the north end of the farm. Just by clearing out the invasive bittersweet and other vines, the landscaping will be improved.
Ms. Lindstrom said Mr. Overall had emailed her and expressed interest in the project. She then suggested two different types of trees for the project and asked how the planning for the project would be developed. The discussion then returned to the condominiums and how to present the overall planting program to them. Mr. Whitehead suggested presenting an overall plan to them and then discussing the matter. He felt that their black pines would have to be replaced within the next five years, but pointed out that the condos may opt to plant taller trees and additional understory plantings.
Mr. Whitehead said that Calf Pasture Beach Road is a premiere street and that he would like to see the greening done well so that maintenance in the future will be easy. Ms. Becker said that after a week away from town, she came back and said that the City looks terrible with so many overgrown, weedy plots and graffiti everywhere. She said that she was embarrassed. She said that on Wall Street she was able to pick up a sizable amount of trash and put it in the new receptacles, which were empty. Ms. Lindstrom agreed, saying that one area that had been cleaned up a month ago was littered again and emails were coming in about it.
It was suggested that a meeting with the Charles Cove condominiums would be a good first step forward. This was agreeable to by all.
Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Torre had posted all the trees that were to be removed. Mr. Whitehead said that all the tags had been removed except for one. Mr. Sotnik said that these trees will be posted again and then the trees will removed by Almstead.
URBAN FORESTRY GRANTS
Mr. Sotnik said that information had been received from DEP, division of Forestry for applications for two forestry grants available; the America The Beautiful grant, which is in combination with a 501c3 non-profit group such as the Norwalk Tree Alliance, and the second one is an Urban Forestry Education Grant. Both grants are for $15,000, but the maximum amount awarded would be $8,000. Mr. Sotnik said that he had met with the Grants Coordinator and that a plan is being developed to apply for these grants. Mr. Sotnik then reviewed some of the plans, including the possibility of legacy trees along the bike trail. He then displayed a landscaping plan for the area near the Lockwood Mathews Mansion that had been tabled because of a lack of funding. Ms. Becker asked if Mr. Sotnik had been in touch with Mr. Westmoreland who has been doing research on the landscaping plans back to the 1800’s.
Mr. Sotnik said that the grant application must be submitted by July 16 at 4 p.m. in order to qualify for the grant. There was a discussion about whether the plan could be changed after it was submitted.
The second portion of the project would be an Urban Forestry educational grant. When the presentation was made last month about the area that needed to be cleaned out because of invasive species by the bridge abutment behind the Y.M.C.A. on West Avenue. Mr. Sotnik said that this might be a good spot for a park entrance with a bench or bike stand along with some plantings. By using signs similar to the ones at the Arboretum, this project could become an educational tool, particularly since Jefferson School is nearby. Mr. Sotnik said that he would welcome input and Ms. Becker said that she would contact Mr. Westmoreland about this. Mr. Sotnik said that Ms. Sweitzer will be putting together a layout for the planting area.
NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES
Ms. Becker said that at the last Coalition meeting, the group went for a tour of the Police Department facilities and discussed the surveillance cameras and their capabilities.
NTA ACTIVITIES
Mr. Tracy said that his group was still cleaning up from the Norwalk Tree festival and the thank you letters have been sent out. There has been some feedback and suggestions for next year. Mr. Tracy said that he would have more information at the next meeting. There will be follow up with those who signed up as volunteers.
A discussion about CL&P and work that was being done in
Silvermine occurred. Mr. Sotnik reviewed the terms of the permit with the
Committee for posting when trimming is planned. Ms. Witkowsky said that she
had received a yellow notice but that they had not posted anything in her
area. Ms. Witkowsky said that the trimming takes hours and that work on Stuart
Avenue took weeks. Ms. Becker asked if there was trimming that was being done
on Harborview by the burned out church. The trees are trimmed with a deep
“V” rather than trimming either the right side or the left side. Mr. Sotnik
said that Mr. Torre was supposed to be out in the field with the trimming
crews on a day to day basis. Ms. Witkowsky said that the trees look like they
have been struck by lightening because the crews take the center out of the
trees. Mr. Whitehead said that once the laterals are taken off all the way
back to the trunk the canopy will never be restored. Mr. Sotnik said that
he would speak to Mr. Torre about this. He also commented that Mr. Alvord
wanted the crews directly accountable to the organization paying the bills,
which is CL&P. Ms. Witkowsky said that there was no foreman present when
she accompanied the trimming crews.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no additional new business.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. VITERETTO MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. WHITEHEAD SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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