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TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
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OCTOBER 23, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman
David Tracy
Maribeth Becker
Richard Whitehead
ABSENT: Peter Viteretto
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden
Paul Sotnik, Deputy Tree Warden
Dilene Byrd, Secretary
NORWALK TREE ALLIANCE: Dick Aime (Absent)
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE LIAISONS: Dianne Witkowsky, Spring Hill/Hospital
OTHER: Larry Andronaw, Oak Hills Park
Tom Vorio, Oak Hills Park
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M.
2. UPDATE- OAK HILLS TREE MANAGEMENT- TOM VORIO, OAK HILLS PARK SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Andronaw gave an update as to the work that is intended for the winter season at Oak Hills Park. Mr. Vorio said that there are a couple of dead trees sporadically around the golf course and that there are also two dead trees around the restaurant due to the construction. He said that the remainder of the work would be pruning and that there are a couple of double stemmed trees throughout the golf course that would be cabled to try to preserve the trees from splitting and the rest of the work would include brush management to improve the air flow around the golf course. He said that they had planted three trees in the spring and had planned on several planting for the fall, but due to the drought the fall plantings would be postponed until the spring. Mr. Sotnik said that he had met with Mr.Vorio at the golf course on October 16, 2007, and had found two oak trees that appeared to be in poor health and if they were to fall they would fall onto the building or the cart path, and are a safety hazard. Mr. Sotnik also said that there have been multiple new plantings at the golf course over the last couple of years. Mr. Whitehead wanted to thank Mr. Andronaw and Mr. Vorio for attending the Tree Advisory Committee meeting and keeping members of the Committee advised as to what is going on at the golf course.
Mr. Alvord left at 6:15 PM
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Vittero said that on Page 2, Item 4b
to change “wall” to “fence”
Ms. Witkowsky said on page 1, to change “Diane” to “Dianne” and to change
“Witowsky” to “Witkowsky”
**MR. WHITEHEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM WITH CORRECTIONS
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
4. REPORT- INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING
Mr. Sotnik had no illegal cuttings to report.
5. TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
a. Harbor Shores fall planting:
Mr. Sotnik said that there are currently two Japanese lilacs that still have
not been planted at 32 Neptune Avenue. He said that he has spoken with Mr.
Bociek of Almstead Tree and he said that he is having difficultly locating
quality stock at this time. Mr. Sotnik also asked Chairman Nelson to follow
up with Corrine Weston to stake the location of the trees at 32 Neptune Avenue.
Mr. Sotnik also said that he had received an e-mail from Corrine Weston stating
that the Higan Cherry at 12 Yost Street had leaves with small holes in them
and that he would be forwarding that e-mail to Mr. Bociek to have him check
the tree.
b. Broad Street planting:
Mr. Whitehead said the area has been staked three times and that the stakes
keep getting removed. He said that Mr. Sotnik has now painted the limits of
the area for the utility Call Before You Dig mark out and suggested rather
than continuing to re-stake the trees, he would paint the locations of the
trees on the ground after the Call Before You Dig order had been completed.
Mr. Whitehead also asked Mr. Sotnik to let him know exactly when Almstead
Tree would be doing the plantings so he can meet them to show them exactly
where the trees would be planted. Mr. Sotnik said that the call before you
dig order should be completed by Friday, October 26, 2007.
Ms. Becker arrived at 6:25PM
c. Guidebook for volunteers:
Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Alvord had informed him that he has not completed
the guidebook at this time.
6. INFORMATION COPIES
a. Arbor Day September/October 2007:
Mr. Sotnik distributed copies.
7. UPDATE- TREE REPLACEMENTS ON CALF PASTURE BEACH ROAD
Mr. Whitehead said he has not heard anything at this point as far as getting together with the condo association and that is due to Mr. Viteretto’s schedule. Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Alvord was supposed to receive some dates of availability from Mr. Viteretto and as of now has not received any. Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Alvord would arrange a date with the condo association and would then be in touch with Mr. Viteretto with some dates and times.
8. UPDATE- WALMART GIFT OF LIBERTY TREE MEMORIAL
Chairman Nelson said he has not been able to get in touch with the local Boy Scouts. He said that Mr. Whitehead had staked the area and that he had spoken with Mr. Bociek and he would be coordinating with Mr. Alvord regarding the delivery of the tree. Mr. Whitehead asked if the tree would be delivered to the Public Works Center. Chairman Nelson said the tree would be delivered to City Hall. Mr. Sotnik asked who would be ordering the tree. Chairman Nelson said Mr. Lendy would be. Mr. Tracy asked if there was a resolution to the fence issue. Chairman Nelson said that it had been resolved. Chairman Nelson said that the plan is to have the tree planted now and when the program is put together there would be some publicity and invitations would be sent to the managers of both Wal-Mart’s, and they would also try to have the Mayor give a proclamation. Mr. Tracy asked if the idea was to have the actual planting separate from the ceremony. Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Alvord is shooting for a November 12, 2007 date for the planting and would like to start planning for the ceremony. Ms. Becker asked what the role of the boy scouts would be. Chairman Nelson said the Boy Scouts along with Wal-Mart together, on a nationwide basis, have been planting trees throughout the country. He said that he had left a message with the local Boy Scouts and have gotten no response back. Ms. Becker said she would follow up on that and attempt to contact Mr. Carney.
9. REPORT- RECEPTION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Chairman Nelson said that there was a very good attendance at the reception and that the Double Tree Hotel was very generous in assisting with the cost. Mr. Tracy said that about six people had signed up to volunteer. Ms. Becker asked if anyone had signed up to be a liaison. Chairman Nelson said that no one had specifically signed up to be a liaison, but there were three people that were interested in tree programs. He also said that Gordon Sweeney would be involved with the Adopt –A- Spot program. Ms. Becker suggested finding events in areas that are being targeted to search for volunteers. Mr. Sotnik said that Mr. Alvord suggested that the volunteers’ should be contacted as soon as possible and signed up for specific tasks that they would be interested in doing so that there interest is not lost by waiting several months for the next contact.
10. REPORT- DPW OPEN HOUSE
Mr. Sotnik reported that this year’s fourth annual open house had the best turn out so far, and that 355 people attended. He said that he wanted to thank the representatives of the Norwalk Tree Alliance and Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company for attending on behalf of Mr. Alvord and the entire Department of Public Works.
11. CONNECTICUT URBAN FOREST COUNCIL PRESENTATION- OCT 25- WALLINGFORD
Chairman Nelson said that on October 25, 2007, Mr. Tracy would be making a presentation in Wallingford. Mr. Tracy said that Chris Donnelly and Mary Ludwig have put together an afternoon session on volunteer programs for trees. Ms. Becker asked who the attendees would be. Mr. Tracy said the members of the Connecticut Urban Forest Council along with anyone who is interested in trees.
12. TREE CITY USA- VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO PREPARE APPLICATION FOR RECERTIFICATION
AND GROWTH AWARD.
Chairman Nelson said that now that Laurel Lindstom is no longer on the tree Advisory Committee that someone is needed to volunteer to submit the application. Mr. Sotnik said that he has some applications from previous years and that it does entail some work, but that a lot of the information that is required can be obtained through the Department of Public Works. Mr. Tracy asked when the application was due. Mr. Sotnik said it is due on December 31, 2007. Mr. Tracy said that he may have a possible volunteer and would let us know.
13. DISCUSSION- NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITES
Ms. Becker said that the meeting went well and that the primary focus of the discussion was the upcoming election. She said that the CNNA would be hosting a debate on Sunday afternoon because at the last debate the questions did not get at what people’s issues or their stands on issues were. Mr. Sotnik asked if the debate included the just candidates running for Mayor. Ms. Becker said the debate would just be with the candidates running for Common Council, and that the format will be determined by how many candidates are able to attend. She said that they would be working with the League of Women’s Voters along with yourct.com, a blog for Public Relations. She also said that on Election Day they would be fielding a survey to people at one polling station in each district asking people what the top five issues they want the city government to address.
14. DISCUSSION- NTA ACTIVITIES
Mr. Tracy said that they are working on responding back to the people who expressed interest in volunteering and that one project has already begun at Shady Beach. He said that Jeanne McAndrew along with Don Miller had been to Shady Beach to identify some of the trees and are trying to get the signs made before January 01, 2008 and are planning on the planting for the spring. He also said he had been working on preparing for the Connecticut Urban Forestry meeting. He said that at the November 1, 2007, meeting, there would be a discussion hosted by the American Chestnut Foundation, and that there would be a representative from Yale University giving a PowerPoint presentation and suggesting ways in which there can be demonstrations of a Chestnut Orchard in Norwalk. Chairman Nelson asked the Board for suggestions on a location for that. Mr. Tracy said some recommendations so far included school grounds or city parks. Mr. Tracy said that the meeting will be held on November 1, 2007, at 4:30PM at 215 East Avenue and that all members of the Tree Advisory Committee are welcome to attend.
15. NEW BUSINESS
No discussion
16. ADJOURNMENT
**MR. WHITEHEAD MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM
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