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TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman
David Tracy
Peter Viteretto
Richard Whitehead
ABSENT: Maribeth Becker
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden
Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden
Dilene Byrd, Secretary
NORWALK TREE ALLIANCE: Dick Aime
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE LIAISONS: Dianne Witkowsky, Spring Hill/Hospital Association
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Viteretto said to add:
a. The limitations of only two adopt-A-spot locations may need to be modified with regards to Calf Pasture Beach Road. Mr. Viteretto noted that the strength of the landscape along the road is in uniformity and linearity of the landscape. To piecemeal the islands along the roadway to various sponsors would likely work against the desire for a unified appearance.
b. Mr. Viteretto inquired as to the availability of water for maintenance of the plantings along Calf Pasture Beach Road. Mr. Alvord replied that no water was currently available and it would be costly to supply. Mr. Viteretto suggested that the cost be undertaken by the Adopt-A-Spot sponsor.
Mr. Aime said on Page 2, Item 6 to change “Terry” to “Terri”
Mr. Aime said on Page 3, Item 8 to change :Donnely” to Donnelly”
** MR. VITERETTO MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM WITH CORRECTIONS
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
3. REPORT- INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING
Mr. Sotnik had no illegal cutting to report. Mr. Viteretto asked about the status of the illegal cuttings that occurred along Bonny Doone Lane. Mr. Alvord said that the property line checks have been completed and it was determined that the trees were in the City’s right of way as well as on private property. He said he would be contacting the Director of the mental health facility to inform her that the trees will need to be replanted.
4. TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
a. Harbors Shores. Mr. Sotnik reported that the Harbor Shores planting was done on Saturday September 22, 2007, and that they would be going back on Wednesday September 26, 2007 to complete the tree planting. He said by the end of the week the shrubs would also be planted.
b. Broad Street. Mr. Whitehead said he had staked for all eleven trees. Mr.
Alvord said that there may be an issue with the planting on Broad Street.
He said that Mr. Sotnik had recalled a project that the electric company had
done in that area. He said approximately 85 to 90% of the area that had been
staked has electrical installation beneath it. Mr. Sotnik said that he had
contacted CL&P and has received a copy of a print showing exactly what
they have there and that directly across the street from Slocum Street there
is a duct bank which has 14 ducts encased in concrete that are 2 to 2 ½
ft. below grade. Mr. Viteretto asked because there is such a wide lawn in
that area can the trees still fit to be planted. Mr. Alvord said that Mr.
Sotnik had spoken with the power company and one of the issues is that the
root structure would encounter the concrete duct and at some point have some
impact on the tree growth. He said that the other issue would be if CL&P
needs access to the ducts for repairs. Mr. Sotnik said there are fourteen
ducts there and eight are in use at this time. He said that four of the ducts
have 15,000 volts and the other four have 30,000 volts, which supplies power
up to the Merritt 7 area. Mr. Viteretto asked if the trees could be planted
closer to the cemetery wall. Mr. Alvord asked Mr. Whitehead if he could stake
midway between the curb and the cemetery fence. Mr. Alvord said his major
concern is this is a $10,000 investment and his concern is that they will
not grow well and has a fair risk of being pulled out of the ground by CL&P
for electrical repairs. Mr. Alvord asked Mr. Whitehead to reposition the stakes
and move them as close to the fence as he is comfortable with. Mr. Whitehead
suggested staking nine trees rather than the eleven. Mr. Alvord agreed. Mr.
Whitehead asked after the stakes are installed how long before the actual
planting. Mr. Alvord said as soon as the stakes are placed he would issue
a purchase order to Almstead Tree. Mr. Whitehead also suggested planting London
Planetree rather that the Zelkovas because it is a tougher tree and the soil
in that area is not in good condition.
c. Guidebook for Volunteers. Mr. Alvord said the guidebook is not completed as of yet but has completed the introduction and credits to Dr. Dirr. He also said he would try to have copies to present at the tree reception. Mr. Viteretto asked if it would be useful to include diagrams in the guidebook. Mr. Whitehead said he thought that it would be. Mr. Viteretto said he would send three diagrams to Mr. Alvord.
5. INFORMATION COPIES
a. Mr. Alvord distributed Alliance for Community Trees (ACT).
b. Mr. Alvord distributed the Tree City USA Bulletin Annual Report.
c. School tree planting day 2008. Mr. Alvord said this is another Home Depot operation and he feels could have some opportunity. He said the Home Depot foundation is working in conjunction with Arbor Day Foundation and will be having trees planted around the United States and the focus would be around the schools. He also said that the application is rather lengthy and asked if anyone would be interested in doing the application work. Mr. Tracy said he would look into the application. Chairman Nelson asked Mr. Alvord what the Alliance for Community Trees is. Mr. Alvord said he had just received information on this organization and has not yet had a chance to review.
6. DISCUSSION- RECEPTION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Chairman Nelson said that he and Mr. Tracy had met with the DoubleTree and they are going to give the room for free for the tree reception. He said that they would also be paying 1/3 of the cost for food. He said there would be fifteen tables along with four display tables. He said that the total cost for the reception would be under $1,000. Mr. Alvord said he would also be displaying before and after photos of the Elmwood Avenue plantings. Mr. Viteretto suggested also doing before and after photos of the Broad Street plantings.
7. UPDATE- TREE REPLACEMENTS OF CALF PASTURE BEACH ROAD
Mr. Alvord said he had spoken with the President of the Charles Cove Condo Association and they are very interested in meeting. He said they are interested in improving the appearance in the whole greater neighborhood as well as the condo itself. He said there is a Board meeting scheduled for September 12, 2007 and after that would be scheduling a meeting with them. Mr. Whitehead said that Laurel Lindstrom and Nicholas Overall are also interested in attending the meeting. Mr. Viteretto said he would like to meet with them prior to the meeting. Mr. Alvord said he would like to set up the meeting within the next few weeks. Mr. Alvord asked members of the Board to e-mail him with their times and dates of availability.
8. REPORT- WALMART GIFT OF LIBERTY TREE MEMORIAL
Chairman Nelson said he had spoken with Elm Tree Research Organization and they would be contacting the local Boy Scouts and has not heard back from them yet. Chairman Nelson asked if the trees should be planted now during the planting season and do the dedication at a later date. Mr. Alvord said that a spot needs to be chosen to plant the tree and he suggested at City Hall there is a spot on the Sunset Hill side and asked members of the Board to take a look at that spot.
9. UPDATE- DPW OPENHOUSE
Mr. Alvord said that the Department of public works open house
is scheduled for Saturday September 29, 2007, from 10:00 AM - 1:00PM and will
be held at the Public Works Center. He said there would be a final walk thru
on Friday September 28, 2007.
10. DISCUSSION- NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES
Chairman Nelson said the CNNA held a meeting with the neighborhood associations that went very well. He said that they would like to meet with more of the associations to get the word out because there are a lot of misperceptions about the revaluation process.
Chairman Nelson asked about the status of the Urban Forestry grant. Mr. Alvord said that several months ago two grants were applied for and that they had received one out of the two for $6,000 and it is a 50/50 grant. He said that Mike Yeosok has put together a portion of the re-establishment of the trees and plantings that had to be taken out of the bikeway project. He said the next step is to go back to the State and get a personal services agreement. Mr. Sotnik said that the Council has authorized the Mayor to execute the agreement once received.
11. DISCUSSION-NTA ACTIVITIES
Mr. Aime said that they have been heavily focused on the planning of the tree reception. Mr. Tracy said that five members would be going a conference for the Connecticut Urban Forestry in Wallingford on October 25, 2007.
12. NEW BUSINESS
Diane asked about the status of her neighborhood tree request that she had submitted a year ago. She said her association has asked her if the request had been approved. Mr. Sotnik and Mr. Alvord said he would look into that and get back to her with a date for a walk-through.
Mr. Whitehead said he had met with Tom Vorio of the Oak Hills golf course
and they would like to come to the October Tree Advisory Committee meeting
to discuss his tree management plan.
13. ADJOURNMENT
** CHAIRMAN NELSON MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM
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