Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-16-2017 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3 Minutes Tree Board 9 a.m. August 16, 2017 Town Barn, 101 E. Orange St. Present: Chairwoman Andrea Lewis, George Campbell, Casey Collins, Tim Logue, Bryan Stuart, Liz Waters Absent: Vice Chairwoman France Harris and Greg Yavelak (ex officio) Item 1: Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum Chairwoman Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Item 2: Additions to the agenda and agenda adjustment There were no changes or adjustments. Item 3: Approval of minutes from June 21 and July 19, 2017, meetings Motion: Mr. Campbell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Second: Ms. Waters seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 4: Review request from developers of the 515 North Residential Condominiums to remove a 15-inch pecan tree from the right-of-way on North Churton Street Ms. Trueblood noted that property owner George Horton and Summit Design and Engineering Services’ Randy Hall were present to represent the project. Ms. Trueblood explained it was overlooked earlier in the approval process for this project that the tree is in the right-of-way. Mr. Hall explained that a retaining wall holds the dirt for this tree and that the retaining wall will be removed. Grading will take place to bring the new condominiums closer to the road. Ms. Trueblood reviewed that there are landscape plans for the site. Mr. Hall said four Chinese elms are on the plan and are expected to grow to 40 or 50 feet tall. He believes they have to be a minimum of 12 feet tall when planted. Mr. Stuart said the proposal is to take down a native tree and plant four Chinese elms. He would like to see the Chinese elms swapped for native trees. There was discussion about the types of native trees the board would prefer. Mr. Horton said he and Mr. Hall can take the board’s recommendations to the landscape architect. Ms. Trueblood suggested the board could request that native trees be discussed with Ms. Trueblood so the applicant does not need to appear before this board again. Motion: Mr. Logue moved to approve the removal of the tree with the suggestion of replacing the proposed four Chinese elms with Princeton elms or other native species, like sugar maple, red maple or red oak. Second: Mr. Campbell seconded. Vote: Unanimous Page 2 of 3 Item 5: Update on status of bee hotel project in Gold Park Ms. Trueblood shared the preliminary drawing of the bee hotel. A hemp masonry product will be used in the structure. The bee hotel’s unveiling will be Nov. 4. Ms. Trueblood said she would appreciate volunteers to help conduct a workshop that day so people can make their own small bee house structure to donate to the town or take home. Ms. Trueblood explained that the bee hotel will be installed to the east of the pollinator garden, with mulch extended to include the hotel in the garden. Unlike in the preliminary drawing, the back of the piece will not be visible, so Ms. Trueblood advised the artist to not make the back as intricate as his plan proposed. Item 6: Discuss development of Turnip Patch Park Master Plan Ms. Trueblood reviewed that she is working with the Parks and Recreation Board on master plans for each park to guide budgetary requests. The Kings Highway Park master plan is extensive, and she has in mind a briefer master plan for Turnip Patch Park. Ms. Trueblood reviewed that this park was started by nearby residents in 2005. They developed the park and then turned it over to the town. Chairwoman Lewis noted that the board was involved in determining which trees could be removed when the park was developed. Ms. Trueblood reviewed that part of the master plan is to move the butterfly garden out of the stream buffer. A small rain garden may be added as a stormwater project. Ms. Trueblood noted that Ms. Collins had met with Karen MacAulay at the site. Ms. MacAulay, a former member of this board, established the butterfly garden and tended it for years. Ms. Trueblood explained that she would contract the prep of the new butterfly garden’s site. A member asked about water. Ms. Trueblood explained that in the past, a neighbor has volunteered her water for establishing new plantings. She said she would look for options to establish a hose bib. Item 7: Discuss options for fall planting projects Ms. Trueblood said one possibility is to add plantings in Cates Creek Park on the east side of the playground. Tree Board plantings have focused on the Historic District, and she would like to make sure trees are planted throughout town, she said. There was a suggestion to plant in front of the former retirement home on North Churton Street. There also was advice not to plant there because construction may happen that could damage new plantings. There was a suggestion to plant a bald cypress next to the dry pond along Riverwalk, located near the Calvin Street bridge. It was noted that three or four trees have died on North Churton Street in the right-of-way in the last few years. Ms. Trueblood said she would ask Terry Hackett, Stormwater resource Manager, to attend the next meeting to discuss possibilities for planting the dry pond. Ms. Trueblood suggested using Tree Board funds to establish the new Turnip Patch butterfly garden area. She encouraged the board to visit Turnip Patch Park, Cates Creek Park and the dry pond on Riverwalk before discussion next month. Page 3 of 3 Item 8: Updates • Hillsborough Garden Club: Andrea Lewis — The Garden Club has a new project planting red poppy and blue cornflower seeds to note the centennial of the end of World War I. Members will plant the seeds this fall. Ms. Trueblood cautioned that the club does not have the authority to plant poppy seeds on town property. Chairwoman Lewis affirmed that a Garden Club member would contact staff. Ms. Trueblood said she has three new planters to place in front of the police station this fall. She will leave them filled with dirt for the Hillsborough Garden Club to plant. She noted the current planters belong to the club and can be delivered wherever the club wishes. • Staff updates: Stephanie Trueblood — Ms. Trueblood reported a willow oak on Oak Street was removed because it was dead. On Cameron Street, a tree that could not be saved was removed by Mike Irwin’s house. Also, a tree service will clear trails on the south side of Kings Highway Park and will remove some of the volunteer trees at the front of the parking lot. Another tree service will remove debris and branches that have collected under the boardwalk on Riverwalk. Also, a manhole needs to be repaired near Cameron Street. That section of Riverwalk will likely be closed for five days in September. Item 8: Adjourn Chairwoman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.