The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on May 1, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Erv Thatcher
Susan Keyser
Chandler Gebhart
Member Absent: Matt White
Lillian Shue
Mark Miller
Fran Peden
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 – The tree planting is committed to be complete by May 12th. There are 15 trees involved. She received a message from Mr. Ralph Calavaris on Gray Street. He reports that his willow oak is dead. She will look at it. She spoke with Russ Carlson and he thinks the decision not to plant ash trees is a good one and we shouldn’t do chemical treatments and nothing preventative. He said if we see a bore hole the size of a dime this is an aggressive bore and he wants to know about it immediately.
Chandler Gebhart – Reported that Roy Wample on West 9th Street has four (4) southern magnolias that are either dying or are dead. He is asking the Tree Commission to do something. Ms. Keyser said they should be removed and we need to discuss what he might want to replace it. He requested those trees specifically and we planted them. He needs to decide what he wants that he will support and nuture. The Chair said we will plant with a tree that we believe is suitable. It will be part of the fall planting. The dead trees will be removed within a month.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
On Wednesday we will be going to look at the ERISA Program which is the base program for the tree inventory. He will report back on what we think of it and whether we should invest in it. He spoke with the City Administrator about the grant program with the State grants and he suggested we complete the plantings we were not funded for when we did 6th Street by St. Peter’s. We have the paperwork to get another grant. She wants to go to City Council for their thoughts and/or suggestions.
Tree Ordinance – The Chair met with Cathie Thomas and gave her paperwork with what is needed to complete the ordinance. Mr. Kavanaugh is no longer with the city. Mr. Harker is now the City Solicitor. Ms. Thomas was going back to Council to get access to legal opinions. He will check with Ms. Thomas on the status and report back.
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
May 1, 2006
Page 2
NEW BUSINESS
Nothing reported.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made. The meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
