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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-16-2016 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3 MINUTES Hillsborough Tree Board Wednesday, March 16, 2016 9:00 AM, Town Barn 101 East Orange Street Present: Chairman Andrea Lewis, Vice Chairman Frances Harris, George Campbell, Dana Dannehower, Phil Ray, Ex Officio – Karen MacAulay, Ex Officio – Greg Yavelak Absent: Bryan Stuart, Liz Waters Staff: Stephanie Trueblood Item 1: Call meeting to order, roll call, and confirm presence of a quorum Chairman Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda Vice Chairman Harris added the Bee City USA project, new Item 7. Ms. Dannehower added trees at Gold Park new Item 8. Item 3: Approval of minutes from February 17, 2016 Motion: Vice Chairman Harris moved to approve the amended minutes. Second: Mr. Campbell seconded. Vote: Unanimous Changes: Page 1: ‘Cay’ to ‘Day’ Item 4: Select Spring 2016 Treasure Tree Ms. MacAulay suggested choosing a Crepe Myrtle as the Treasure Tree to use it as an educational opportunity regarding excessive pruning. After group discussion, Ms. Trueblood suggested choosing this for next January to catch people’s attention before they prune. There was interest in selecting the Cedar Lane trees for this spring. Motion: Vice Chairman Harris moved to approve Cedar Lane trees as the Treasure Tree feature for spring 2016. Second: Mr. Ray seconded. Vote: Unanimous Ms. Trueblood asked Ms. Waters to write the article. Ms. Trueblood said Virginia Smith has information about the lane and offered to help. Item 5: Tree I.D. project update: Greg Yavelak and Karen MacAulay Ms. Trueblood briefly discussed identifying trees with Mr. Yavelak and Ms. MacAulay, advising them to identify as many trees as they like and then the board can choose which ones will be identified with signs soon. Others may be identified with signs in a later round. Page 2 of 3 There was agreement to include the common and scientific names on the signs. There was discussion about keeping the signs low to the ground so that they are less obtrusive. Ms. Trueblood will investigate the tree identification signs at Ayr Mount (green with white lettering, long-lasting) and follow up with Ms. Dannehower about distributers. Item 6: Updates/Ongoing Business:  Last Fridays Planning: English Ivy, Karen MacAulay Ms. MacAulay shared her costume and she and Ms. Trueblood shared the flyer. Chairman Lewis shared a list of alternative vine and ground covers and group agreed to add these to the second page.  Chestnut tree update: George Campbell Mr. Campbell reported that the trees were planted at Burwell School. Ms. Trueblood has sent the text and photo for one sign, to be placed at Town Hall, to the American Chestnut Foundation. She has not heard back from the Foundation yet.  Garden Club update: Andrea Lewis Chairman Lewis will provide Ms. Trueblood with a planting plan for the bed that the Garden Club will be planting. Ms. Trueblood advised that there needs to be discussion with the downtown restaurant owners so that they know the Garden Club will be maintaining the bed.  Staff Updates: tree plantings The replacement trees for Hot Tin Roof and downtown will be planted in the fall. Chairman Lewis said there are 51 different species of moths and butterflies that depend on the oak trees, so this board should consider planting more oaks. ITEM # 7: Added item on Bee City application Chairman Lewis reported that the Garden Club is paying for the application. Ms. Trueblood advised it would be the Town Board that would sponsor it (rather than the Tree Board). Motion: Vice Chairman Harris moved to support application for Hillsborough to become a Bee City. Second: Ms. Dannehower seconded. Vote: Unanimous ITEM #8: Added item on bag worms in Gold Park Ms. Dannehower reported one tree is covered. There was discussion of picking them off where there aren’t that many. There was discussion of the best way to treat the one tree that is covered. Several members offered to pick the bag worms off the trees. Ms. MacAulay noticed a large branch down on a redbud. A member offered to take care of it after the meeting. Ms. Trueblood added that she wanted to inform the board that the Public Works department needed to clear a water line easement which will require a 20-foot swath of woods in Riverwalk. The soil will be stabilized. Page 3 of 3 The board discussed the need for watering volunteers. Watering volunteers will be: Gold Park: Karen MacAulay (Ms. Trueblood will relocate hoses) Bank of America parking lot: Dana Dannehower Calvin Street: Frances Harris These volunteers will use judgment as to when they should start watering, check rain gauges. ITEM #9: Adjourn Chairman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.