The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on October 1, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Susan Keyser, Co-Chairman
Lillian Shue
Fran Peden
Erv Thatcher
Members Absent: Mark Miller
Matt White
Chandler Gebhart
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by the Mr. Patterson.
Approval of Minutes -- Mr. Thatcher questioned Ms. Keyser about the tree in Bull Hill Park that she would like to replace. (Discussion followed.) He also inquired about the tree near the Wilmington Trust teller machine. He informed that the pine trees near the tennis courts have been taken care of. This was concerning work done on those trees that experienced storm damage. (Lengthy discussion followed.)
Ms. Keyser made a motion to approve the minutes of 9/10/07. Ms. Shue seconded the motion which was passed by unanimous vote.
REPORT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Erv Thatcher – Trimmed a tree near the sail club. The limbs were very low causing problems during a recent water rescue by Goodwill Fire Co. when they launched their boat. In Buttonwood there are one or two maples that are either dead or starting to die. (Discussion followed.) Last year Russ Carlson reported that an ash tree at 519 Delaware Street had a bore in it but the tree looks good now. He reported bagworms along Route 9 near Dobbinsville. He will spray soon. (Discussion followed about treatment techniques.) Mr. Thatcher said a couple years ago we paid to have those thorny hawthorns taken off Sixth Street near St. Peters. They have never been removed and are getting bigger and harder to see.
Fran Peden – Nothing to report.
Lillian Shue – She has looked at her ash tree again for bore holes but didn’t see anything; however, she is still concerned. She has nothing else to report.
Susan Keyser – She has 18 trees on the planting list. She has received a request from a lady who wants to plant a flowering tree in the main area of Battery Park.
Ms. Keyser advised her that this Commission doesn’t normally plant in that area because of the abuse they receive. It is a memorial tree for a child. (Locations were discussed.) Mr. Thatcher is not in favor of planting in the park because of the damage they receive from children. It is very difficult to police. Mr. Patterson suggested replacing the tree in a different park area and place a memorial stone at the base of the tree. Ms. Keyser did not believe this Commission handled memorial stones. (Discussion followed about signage.) Ms. Keyser will follow up with the family. At Station Park there are several dogwoods that are dead along the street. She asked Mr. Thatcher to remove them. There are two or three on the street and one in the park. Mr. Thatcher asked that Ms. Keyser give him one or two days
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
October 1, 2007
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advance notice of planting the new trees and he will make arrangements to have the dead trees removed. Dorsey Fisk was talking about an arborist recently and
Ms. Keyser inquired whether this person is someone we should explore.
Mr. Patterson said if the Trustees are funding this person perhaps we could see if the Trustees will go a little higher with a special appropriation for that purpose only.
Ms. Keyser will make contact with the arborist to get some information on costs.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Patterson talked to Nancy Ferguson (Fourth Street) who was under the impression we were going to take her tree out. Mr. Patterson thought we were going to try to straighten the tree out and asked what the Commission suggests. If we remove the tree he asked Ms. Keyser to put her name on the planting list. (Discussion about relocating the tree followed and Mr. Peden will look at the tree.)
Ms. Keyser said it was straight when it was first planted but has shifted for some reason. It is a ginko tree.
Mr. Patterson has talked to Bob Rizzardi about the list of work we have given to him. He does not think he has done the pruning on Second Street yet. (Discussion followed.)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
