HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-15-2016 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 2
MINUTES
Hillsborough Tree Board
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
9:00 AM, Town Barn
101 East Orange Street
Present: Chairman Andrea Lewis, George Campbell, Phil Ray, Bryan Stuart, Liz Waters, Ex Officio
Karen MacAulay, Ex Officio Greg Yavelak
Absent: Vice Chairman Frances Harris, Dana Dannehower
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 9:05 a.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and cautioned
there wasn’t a quorum present at that time, so no voting could take place.
Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda
Chairman Lewis added an item regarding the Master Gardener training class. An item was added
regarding alternatives to English Ivy. Also added to the agenda was a brief discussion regarding the
Redbuds and deciduous hollies on Churton Street.
Item 3: Approval of minutes from May 18, 2016
Once a quorum was present, Chairman Lewis called for a motion to approve the minutes.
Motion: Mr. Campbell moved to approve the May 18, 2016, minutes.
Second: Mr. Ray seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Changes: none
Item 4: Consider request to become a Bee City: Trish Koontz, Hillsborough Garden Club
Ms. Koontz explained Bee City requires that an advisory board or Town Board accept stewardship. The
Tree Board would guide the town, helping to share what is or isn’t good for native pollinators. Also,
there’s a requirement for an annual celebration. The Garden Club is offering to help facilitate the
process of becoming a Bee City USA and is committing to help with the celebration the first year. The
Garden Club is offering a Google group for discussions.
Ms. Trueblood explained this wouldn’t be a lot of work for this board. It would create some work for
her.
There was discussion about the effects of Roundup on bees and about spraying for mosquitos and using
Dunks in water.
If this board votes for approval, Ms. Trueblood will bring this to the next Town Board workshop. The
application would be filed in the fall.
Motion: Ms. Waters moved to pursue Bee City USA status.
Page 2 of 2
Second: Mr. Stuart seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 5: Updates/Ongoing Business:
Debrief May Last Fridays: Frances Harris
There was acknowledgement that Vice Chairman Harris sent an email to the
board, recapping May Last Fridays.
Ms. MacAulay took issue with some of the plants on the list of alternative
ground coverings. There was brief discussion about which plants some members
like. Ms. Trueblood advised adding plants to the list and requesting removal of
the ones anyone doesn’t like, keeping in mind that people are planting English
Ivy for various reasons so the alternatives should address those various reasons.
There was brief discussion about which nurseries should receive a letter from
the board requesting that the businesses not carry English Ivy. Some board
members expressed interest in hand delivering the letters.
Board members edited the list of alternative ground coverings.
Riverwalk Tree Identification update: Greg Yavelak and Karen MacAulay
Ms. MacAulay noted she had found the mother Sassafras tree and the black rat
snake who lives in the tree.
Garden Club update: Andrea Lewis
Nothing to report.
Staff Updates: Treasure Tree Map and Brochure
Ms. Trueblood is updating the map and brochure and will perhaps email the
draft.
Chairman Lewis shared that a Master Gardener’s Certification class will take
place this fall through the Orange County Extension.
Chairman Lewis said the Redbuds on the corner of West Queen and Churton
streets need to be pruned for visibility for the people who have nearby
driveways. Ms. Trueblood and a member will take care of that.
Deciduous hollies on the west side of Churton Street in front of the old rest
home. Ms. MacAulay noted to purchase another male tree for the fall plantings.
Ms. Trueblood encouraged board members to contact her throughout the
month if they see any tree that needs pruning or a limb down rather than
waiting for the meeting.
Item 6: Adjourn
Chairman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:22 a.m.