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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-21-2016 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 2 MINUTES Hillsborough Tree Board Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9:00 AM, Town Barn 101 East Orange Street Present: Chairman Andrea Lewis, Vice Chairman Frances Harris, George Campbell, Dana Dannehower, Phil Ray, Bryan Stuart, Liz Waters, Ex Officio Karen MacAulay Absent: Ex Officio Greg Yavelak 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 There were none. Item 3: Approval of minutes from August 17, 2016 Motion: Vice Chairman Harris move to approve the minutes as submitted. Second: Ms. Waters seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 4: Request from Hillsborough Cemetery Committee to remove Red Cedars at south property line of Margaret Lane Cemetery Ms. Trueblood said the Cemetery Committee and the neighbors would like them removed because they are unsightly. They are proposing that the Tree Board consider this area for future plantings. Mr. Ray pointed out that if they are taken down now and don’t plant now, there’s no buffer. Mr. Ray suggested carefully selecting whether some of them can remain (or even one). Board members had ideas of other trees that would be nice along there. There was question of whether the neighboring property owner wants to be able to see the cemetery or not. The board agreed to let Ms. Dannehower and staff visit the site to make recommendations. Motion: Vice Chairman Harris moved to wait on removal until Tree Board and staff can inspect the Red Cedar trees and develop a replanting plan in coordination with the Cemetery Committee and neighbors. Second: Ms. Dannehower seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 5: Request from Hillsborough Cemetery Committee to remove Tree Board sign from Margaret Lane Cemetery David McCullough from the Cemetery Committee addressed the board. Mr. McCullough said an interpretive sign is going to be placed fairly close to where this sign currently is. Ms. Dannehower suggested taking a look at the location of the Crepe Myrtles and the pillars. Page 2 of 2 Motion: Ms. Dannehower moved to approve the removal of the sign. Second: Mr. Stuart seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 6: Discuss Fall 2016 plantings (Calvin Street Entrance to Riverwalk) Recommendations for Calvin Street entrance include Virginia Sweetspire, Katsura, Weeping Willow and beautyberries. Ms. Trueblood explained constraints in late February/early March sidewalk construction. Ms. Dannehower suggested planting an evergreen shrub near the beauty berries. Ms. Trueblood will get estimates from Christina King and report back to the board. Item 7: Planning for September Last Fridays- Arbor Day and Tree City celebration Ms. Trueblood reviewed the schedule and details for Last Fridays. Item 8: Updates/Ongoing Business:  Garden Club update: Andrea Lewis—She’ll be planting up plants to go in beds behind the Wooden Nickel. Ms. Trueblood asked for the planting plan. Public Works will bring in better soil. There was brief discussion among board members of making a list of places where people can buy plants. Ms. Waters agreed to provide a list for Last Fridays.  Staff Updates: Bee City, watering check in, Tree ID project, etc.—Bee City application is in. Until it started raining again, trees were looking thirsty. Ms. MacAulay watered in the dog park last week. There are a couple of oaks in Gold Park that have lost all their leaves. She had Mr. Yavelak take a look and he thought it was due to caterpillars and the trees would be fine. Tree tags are coming soon. The new planner hiring is happening.  Phil Ray was recognized for his many years of service as his term comes to an end.  Ms. Trueblood shared that the town was receiving money from the state for downtown revitalization and was using it for several downtown amenities (benches, lights on Exchange Club bridge, planters, holiday decorations, etc.). Item 9: Adjourn Chairman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:27 a.m.