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TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Don Nelson, Chairman; Rich Whitehead, Laurel Lindstrom,
Peter Viteretto, Maribeth Becker (6:10 p.m.)
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Tree Warden
NORWALK TREE ALLIANCE: None
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE LIAISONS: Dianne Witkowsky, Spring Hill/Hospital
Area Association, Nick Overall, Eastern
Norwalk Neighborhood Association.
OTHERS: Bob Bociek, Almstead Tree Company
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2. APPROVE MINUTES - TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 25, 2005
The following corrections were noted:
In the header, please change the date from August 23, 2005 to October 25, 2005
In the OTHER listing, please change the following titles:
from Glen Dube, Oak Hill Golf Course General Manager to Glen Dube, Oak Hill
Golf Course Superintendent;
from Joe Tamburri, Chairman, Oak Hills Golf Course to Joe Tamburri, Chairman,
Oak Hills Park Authority
from Larry Androay, Oak Hills Golf Course to Larry Androay, Oak Hills Park
Authority.
Page 2, paragraph 4, line 1: please change “General Manager”
to Superintendent.
Page 2, paragraph 4, line 4: please change “...about work that is planned...”
to
“...about tree-related work that is planned...”
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 1: please change “relationship” to “relation”
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 5: please change “...that needs to be done.” to
“...that needs to be done (5 trees).”
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 8: please change “allowing” to “having”.
Page 2, paragraph 5, line 17: please change “inventories” to inventoried”.
Page 3, paragraph 1, line 7: please change “Alex Murneck” to “Alan Murnick”
Page 3, paragraph 5, line 2: please change “can not” to “cannot”
Page 4, paragraph 1, line 2: please change “tree” to “trees”
Page 4, paragraph 4, line 2: please change “owner” to “owners”
Page 4, paragraph 4, line 8: please change “planted” to “placed”.
Page 4, paragraph 6, line 1: please change “...his group three of...” to “...his
group of
three...”
Page 4. paragraph 6, line 5: please change “...idea for the vendor make the
first contact...”
to “...idea for the vendor to make the followup contact...”
Page 4, paragraph 6, line 6: please change “initial” to “follow up”
Page 5, paragraph 1, line 1: please change “initial” to “follow up”
Page 5, paragraph 4, line 1: please change “Durrer’s” to “Dirr’s”.
Page 5, paragraph 6, line 1, please remove the period before Mr. Alvord’s
name.
Page 6, paragraph 2, line 1, please change “Katherine” to “Kathryn”
Page 6, paragraph 6, line 5, please change “artist colony” to “art center”.
Page 7, paragraph 2, line 1, please change “Ms. Becker said the CNNA...” to
“Regarding the situation on Stuart Avenue, Ms. Becker said the CNNA...”
Page 7, paragraph 2, line 5, please change “The problem is that the way....”
to
“The problem is the way....”
Page 7, paragraph 2, line 10, please change “single family homes” to “single-family
homes”
** MR. WHITEHEAD MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS
CORRECTED.
** MS. LINDSTROM SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. REQUEST FOR MEETING WITH MAYOR MOCCIA
Chairman Nelson stated that he had sent a request to Mayor Elect Moccia about getting together to discuss the Tree Advisory Committee, the Norwalk Tree Alliance, the Free Tree Program and some issues regarding Clean and Green. At a presentation of an award by the Governor at the White Barn earlier this week, Chairman Nelson saw Mayor Elect Moccia, who told Chairman Nelson that he had received the email, but had not had a chance to respond to it. Chairman Nelson hopes to get together with Mayor Moccia in the next month to give the Mayor a brief overview.
Chairman Nelson also informed the Committee that the possibility of having a City Grant made available to the Tree Alliance was being explored. After speaking with Mr. Hamilton, Chairman Nelson said it would have to be done with DPW. This would allow the Alliance to hire professionals to work on the tree inventory. If the tree inventory is completed sooner, then the information can be made available to Public Works, which in turn, allows for a better vision on how to manage the tree program for the City. Mr. Alvord suggested getting interns to work on the project.
Ms. Becker arrived at 6:10 p.m.
4. INNER CITY GRANT
Mr. Viteretto introduced Mr. Bociek of Almstead Tree to the Committee. Mr. Bociek reported that the trees are going in at Columbus Magnet School Arboretum. Due to some site problems, a birch clump had to be moved to a different area. Mr. Alvord stated that Ms. Stark had sent out a request for extension for completion and execution of the full grant until next summer. There should be no problem with getting the extension. Currently, Mr. Bociek has not found a quality silver maple, a Douglas fir, a white oak, and a Japanese maple that he feels is up to arboretum quality. Two trees, a crab apple and a dogwood, that were refused by property owners, have been used in the arboretum. At the present time, 14 trees are onsite and when completed the project will have a total of 21 trees. Due to moving the birch clump, a Rose of Sharon has been eliminated; this was acceptable to the Committee.
Chairman Nelson asked about the school’s response to watering in the spring and was told that there had been no response from the school at all. Mr. Alvord said that it would be good to speak to Mr. Mocciae about watering the trees. Mr. Viteretto stated that there needed to be a spigot on the side of the school to facilitate watering after the Almstead contract is up. There is a two year period that the trees will need to be watered on a regular basis following the first year, which is covered by Almstead.
Mr. Alvord asked if a Purchase Order had been issued to Almstead.
The money from the grant will not be released to the City until the project
is completed. Mr. Alvord expressed concerns because he realizes that the trees
are being purchased at contract prices but he does not want those purchases
to be charged against the account balance in that account.
Mr. Bociek needs to be protected with a purchase order. Mary Roman, who is
the interim Grants Coordinator, has already been contacted and given a quick
overview of this project. Mr. Bociek pointed out that there are some additional
expenses besides the cost of the various trees, such as grinding out a stump
and some necessary trimming. Chairman Nelson stated that the grant had originally
included Ryan Park and that Ryan Park has not yet been started by the Redevelopment
Agency. Mr. Viteretto stated that he was focused on finishing the arboretum
project. Mr. Alvord said that he would have Kathryn Hebert follow up on the
status of the grant funding and work on getting a P.O. for Bob.
Mr. Viteretto said that the signage could cost about $2,000. Ms. Lindstrom commented that interpretive signs were a necessity. Previously, it had been mentioned that there might be a track and some benches. There was some discussion about the prices of the various trees and how much of the $18,265.00 had already been spent. Mr. Alvord suggested that Mr. Viteretto start to get some signage quotes. Once the signage and the trees are completed, there may be money left over to do a simple footpath with woodchips or mulch.
Ms. Becker said that she had a conversation with Mayor Elect Moccia, who was interested in having a tree at the arboretum dedicated to Rosa Parks. There was some discussion of this idea and it was suggested that getting on the PTO agenda to present this idea might be the best way to facilitate it. Chairman Nelson suggested that the Committee talk to Chris Donnelly and Mayor Moccia and get the support of the school. Mr. Viteretto stated that the parents and the PTO knew nothing about the arboretum. Ms. Becker will work with Chairman Nelson and Mr. Viteretto on this.
5. INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL CUTTING
Mr. Alvord stated that Mr. Sotnik is on vacation. He also said that there was no incidents of illegal cutting. A report of possible illegal cutting had been reported but there had not been any opportunity for follow up on it.
6. STATUS OF TREE PLANTING
a. Initial locations - all planted minus drop-outs.
Mr. Alvord reported that the first batch of trees are now in the ground. The photos that Mr. Bociek had taken have been forwarded to The Hour and The Advocate. Mr. Koch said that he would do a story on it but has been unable to contact one of the home owners.
b. Next 30 locations - status.
Mr. Alvord reported that Mr. Bociek had checked out the next
30 locations for planting suitability. Two of the home owners did come out
and speak with Mr. Bociek. Those two properties have been sold during the
interim between the request and Mr. Bociek’s visit.
The next step is to send volunteers out, contact the home owners, stake out
the location and get the contract signed by the home owner.
c. Guidebook for volunteers - Dirr’s
Mr. Alvord displayed a copy of “Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs” that has been purchased and is now the first volume in the Tree Library at DPW. The guide that the volunteers will be using in the staking kits will be based on this book. There was also a brief discussion about copyright.
7. TREE CITY USA RENEWAL
Mr. Alvord stated that the application is almost completed and the cover letter has been signed by the Mayor. The application will go out as soon as possible. The Tree City signs are now up at the City boundaries.
8. INFORMATION COPIES
a. Tree City USA Growth Award Activity Guide and Application
Norwalk was recognized as the Connecticut Urban Forestry Community for the year. Chris Donnelly and his boss came down from CT State DEP for the presentation. The Mayor has the plaque which was awarded to the City. Mr. Alvord distributed the Tree City USA Growth Award Activity Guide and Application to everyone.
b. Press Announcement - Municipal Urban Forestry Award
Mr. Alvord distributed copies of the announcement to the Committee.
c. Arbor Day New Member Edition
Mr. Alvord distributed copies of the Arbor Day New Member Edition to the members. Chairman Nelson mentioned that Brookside would be the site for the Arbor Day Celebration. It was suggested that getting together with Mr. Tergis and possibly the Brookside PTO to plan the event.
9. DISCUSSION - NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES
Ms. Becker reported that Mayor Elect Moccia spoke at the Norwalk Neighborhood Association Meeting and that it went well. The meeting was a free form question and answer period and was well attended. Darlene Young from Weed and Seed was also there.
A discussion about the old police station arose and Mr. Viteretto informed the Committee that the east portion of the Lockwood estate was open space. Ms. Lindstrom stated that there was a Master Plan of Mathews Park around. Mr. Viteretto stated that the Master Plan was not necessarily based on historical research.
10. DISCUSSION - NTA ACTIVITIES
Chairman Nelson stated that Mr. Tracy was not present. The Tree Alliance had their annual meeting, and the Board of Directors Meeting along with a small reception. These were well attended. Their plans for the coming year was to continue their activities as is and to apply for funding to facilitate the inventory process.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Martha Stewart
Ms. Becker reported that she had received a phone call about some city trees that were taken down on the Flax Hill property owned by Ms. Stewart. Mr. Bociek explained that he had examined the three sugar maples and that they were diseased. While doing some work on one of the trees, part of the tree collapsed under its own weight. Mr. Viteretto suggested sending a letter to Ms. Stewart suggesting that her company replace the trees following the conclusion of their program
Mr. Alvord reviewed the replacement policy for the Committee. If someone is caught cutting a tree illegally, they are fined, are required to replant and post a bond to insure the survival of the replaced tree. Ms. Becker asked about other trees on Flax Hill which are also in poor condition. Mr. Bociek explained that when someone calls DPW about a city tree, it is inspected for risk. Chairman Nelson also said that the Tree Alliance went out last year and assessed as many trees as possible.
Marshall’s
Ms. Lindstrom informed the Commission that Planning and Zoning currently has a request from Marshall’s to take out every other tree that borders Westport Avenue because the trees are too close together. Mike Green explained that P&Z rarely approves the removal of trees that are not putting the public at risk. If the trees are on Marshall’s property, then P&Z has control. If the planting is on State property, then the City has no input. Recently, Mr. Alvord explained that the Third Taxing District wanted to remove some trees that were on the State right-of-way. After some additional discussion, it was suggested that interested parties give their input to P&Z.
Stuart Avenue
Ms. Witkowsky explained that they had some contact with the developer and that he has agreed to look at a proposal. His bottom line, though, is how many units he can put on the parcel. Bill Kraus, who is involved in historic preservation, also attended that meeting. Ms. Witkowsky expressed strong concern about how the area has been stripped of the foliage by this developer removing so many mature trees. She is also concerned about the fact that only a 10’x 20’ green space is required by the regulations. Since this occurred on private property, there is no legal recourse for the City.
After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that the best course would be to become familiar with the Zoning regulations and then have some contact with Mike Greene to determine what would be the best route to implement changes to prevent this from happening again.
Wall Street trees
Mr. Viteretto noticed that some of the Wall Street merchants were piling trash and recycling on the tree wells where replacement trees have been planted. He drafted a letter to the Wall Street merchants, reminding them that their garbage and recycling placement is covered in Chapter 94 of the Norwalk City Code. Mr. Alvord reviewed the letter and suggested a few changes, primarily that it go out on letterhead with the Seal of the City of Norwalk and that it be signed by Chairman Nelson. Copies of the two drafts were given to the Committee and printouts of digital pictures of various sites where garbage was piled around the replanted trees were passed around.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. LINDSTROM MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MR. VITERETTO SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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