MINUTES OF SHADE TREE COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Richard Prentice.

Present were Phil Cashman, John Winiarski, Richard Prentice, Bruce Graver and John Lepper, Tree Warden. Absent was Mark Alpert.

ITEM 1 - Public Comments - None

ITEM 2 - Removals

  1. Highcrest School - (2 Cherry trees opposite Tee Lane behind sidewalk) - 4/0 to remove.
  2. 51 Wilmont Street - leaning Willow tree next to fence - paper road - Town property - 4/0 to remove.
  3. Tree Warden reported condemning a Linden at Town Hall to facilitate removal of a leaking oil tank.
  4. 135 Goff Road - Beech tree interfering with utility wires was removed.

ITEM 3 - Minutes - Minutes of the December 1, 2004 meeting were approved as presented.

ITEM 4 - Communications

  1. Commissioner Winiarski received call from Jim Woodworth, River Road, concerning an Elm on River Road Green.
  2. Call to Engineering concerning tree leaning toward house at 39 Wilmont Street.
  3. Mike Devanney called concerning tree in wires at #135 Goff Road.
  4. Call from Town Manager that Council voted $17,900 for tree planting at Cottone Field.
  5. Request from Bobbi Molchan, Hartford Avenue, for memorial tree in Standish Park.
  6. Call from Frank Morris, Broad Street, concerning trenching near Sycamore at #226 Broad Street.
  7. Town Manager received e-mail from Ronald Rodd, Westway, concerning removal of trees from athletic fields at high school.

ITEM 5 - Tree Warden's Report

  1. Followed up on various concerns citizens had about trees. Took action on two, the rest were civil matters.
  2. Completed Tree City USA and Growth Award applications.
  3. Met with Leigh Standish, Strategic Planning Committee member, to review updated plan.
  4. Explored tree planting possibilities at cell tower on Kelleher Court.
  5. Made site inspections with Town Planner at proposed development on Folly Brook Boulevard.
  6. Met with project manager at Webb School to flag trees for removal.
  7. Silas Deane Highway project - public presentation.
  8. Evaluated planting site at corner of Woodside and Nott for Town Engineer.
  9. Evaluated sight-line problem at Woodycrest and Forest Drive.
  10. Meeting with Town Planner and Project Manager at Webb Building to review plans.
  11. Investigated trenching near Sycamore at #226 Broad Street.
  12. Followed up Ron Rodd's e-mail to Town Manager relative to tree removal at high school.
  13. Working on tree planting plans for 2005.

ITEM 6 - Old Business

  1. Tree Planting 2005 - Another request for a memorial tree planting in Standish Park has been received. Donor wanted to plant a Black Locust from American Forest Famous & Historic Tree collection; however, this is unacceptable and another selection will be made. Six Arborvitaes will be needed for Cell Tower site. Two replacements for Japanese Garden at Town Hall are needed. Snow Fountain Flowering Cherry, Prunus x 'snofozam' is being considered. A combination of 15 Linden and Aristocrat Pear trees is recommended for planting on Church Street and Westway. One Hundred Fifty-two (152) arborvitaes are required for planting at Cottone Field. Plans for planting Hartford Avenue from Jordan Lane north to Route 5/15 overpass are not complete.
  2. Webb Building Landscaping. Trees and shrubs are being removed from south end of project to make way for new parking area. Commissioner Winiarski harvested material from the condemned hemlocks for the Agricultural Experiment Stations Wooly Adelgid research project.

ITEM 7 - New Business

  1. Commissioner Winiarski followed up on citizen's concern about Elm tree on River Road. He made a site inspection and found a couple of problems in limbs of the tree. Recommendation that Town Arborist take a closer look.

Having no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

John C. Lepper, CTW
Tree Warden/Secretary Pro-Tem