The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on April 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Erv Thatcher
Susan Keyser
Lillian Shue
Fran Peden
Mark Miller
Members Absent: Matt White
Chandler Gebhart
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chairman Patterson.
REPORT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Erv Thatcher – Nothing to report.
Susan Keyser – What is the status of planting trees in a park in the Buttonwood area? There was talk about removing the dead swamp maples and replacing with new trees. Mr. Thatcher informed no trees would be planted because there will be a playground installed there. She referred to the signed tree contract with Brandywine Nurseries provided to all Commission members. She further provided a brief history of how we came to work with Brandywine Nurseries. They order their trees from Princeton Nursery; no start date has been established. They were less expensive than two other bids. One of the trees being ordered is in memory of Anita Banks.
Lillian Shue – Nothing to report.
Fran Peden – Nothing to report.
Mark Miller – Nothing to report.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Patterson referred to the picture of Mr. Wiggins’ tree that all Commission members received. He is requesting removal of the tree because of damage to his sidewalk. The homeowner is responsible for the sidewalk in front of his home. This situation has been in existence for close to twenty-five years. Commission members will travel to the property on South Street after business tonight to look at the tree.
Bradford Pear–West Fourth Street – Mr. Patterson received a call from someone on behalf of the homeowner who wants it removed because it is messy. Mr. Miller said our policy is not to plant Bradford pear trees. Ms. Keyser said we don’t make a practice of removing trees because they are messy. Mr. Miller feels precedence was made with the Kaczmarick tree removal (corner of Foundry and Fifth) because it was messy. (Discussion followed.)
Mr. Patterson reported that Cathie Thomas has informed him of materials she had received concerning a beautification grant. City Council never endorsed us to apply for grants to do plantings. (Discussion followed about a previous grant and how the monies were used and how money could be used going forward.) Ms. Keyser feels we should apply for the grant and scale it back a bit. She suggested waiting until
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
April 9, 2007
Page 2
after the city election (4/14/07) and then talk to the city about the Dobbinsville area. The grant is awarded in the summer and we would have until June to apply. Mr. Thatcher suggested writing to the Trustees about both sides of the road in that area. It would create a nice “welcome” to the city along that roadway.
Ms. Keyser raised the issue of the “tree city” sign that is still erected on an island in the city. Some years ago we had decided whether we wanted to be a tree city or we did not. We still don’t have an ordinance and we collectively agreed we were not willing to continue with the title tree city. There are people who want it to be removed and she doesn’t feel we are a tree city and we should have it removed and stored in the city garage.
Mr. Patterson said he was under the impression that the Beautification Committee was going to try to identify a project and give it to him to present to Kris Whitten for consideration of monies from the estate of Ross Abson.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. and the group moved outdoors to South Street.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
