|
The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on November 5, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Susan Keyser, Co-Chairman
Fran Peden
Erv Thatcher
Mark Miller
Chandler Gebhart
Members Absent: Lillian Shue
Matt White
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mr. Patterson.
Approval of Minutes – A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 10/1/07 meeting. The motion was seconded and approved.
REPORT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Erv Thatcher – Two trees in Buttonwood have been removed. The stumps remain and Mr. Rizzardi will be notified to remove same. There is a crabapple tree, a holly tree and a maple tree dying on Chestnut Street and the City should remove those trees and replace with cherry trees or something uniform. It would be an ideal place for a memorial tree. Ms. Keyser said that at a previous meeting we approved three new trees on the opposite side of the triangle. (Discussion followed about whether the trees are dying or in poor condition.)
Susan Keyser – She spoke to Brandywine about tree planting. They haven’t started digging trees because of the dry conditions. She suggested December 10th as the date for planting and Brandywine feels they can meet that date. The Hurds in Baldton have requested trees and she will be in contact with them. She also spoke to a resident who has requested a tree on a neighbor’s property. The Tree Commission does not plant on someone else’s property.
The State Climatologist has warned that drought conditions are expected to continue through next summer; therefore, any trees we plant now will need to be supported in order to keep them alive. It is not the best of times to plant trees. Public trees are not supported by private homeowners. Unless weather conditions turn around Mr. Patterson does not anticipate a Spring tree planting next year.
There are two trees that are dying in Station Park that the Tree Commission will be taking out. Ms. Keyser would like to get them out now. Mr. Thatcher will cut them even to the ground but crews would have to dig too far down to get the roots out and then the hole has to be filled in.
Ms. Keyser informed that people are starting to vandalize a tree at Bull Hill Park much like other trees that have been damaged. This is destruction of City property and it is a criminal offense. They are replacement trees. Mr. Patterson will speak with Cathie Thomas. (Discussion followed including preventative measures.)
Fran Peden – The tree on Nancy Ferguson’s property has been straightened.
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
November 5, 2007
Page 2
Chandler Gebhart – Asked if we replaced the trees in Shawtown off Ninth Street (Gaworski). Mr. Patterson informed that the Tree Commission put in three magnolias per the owner’s request that died. These trees represented a large expense to the Tree Commission. The resident has called Mr. Gebhart about replacement trees. He cannot plant trees on the right-of-way. Mr. Patterson’s opinion is that with the Tree Commission’s limited funds there are plenty of people who want trees who will support them. If the owner wants more trees he should make a contribution to the Tree Commission for those trees. Mr. Gebhart asked for a follow up to the sycamore tree issue near the Presbyterian church. The tree has a knot that protrudes outward and is damaging vehicles that come into contact with it. The church has a list of names of people whose cars have been damaged and they want to know who to submit the list to. (Discussion followed.) The church should contact the City to take remediation action; however, the Tree Commission does not have the authority to attach reflectors to the tree. As a part of the right-of-way it is a City issue. Signage would be part of an ordinance making it official. Mr. Gebhart will inform the church to approach the City.
Mark Miller – The resident of the Episcopal rectory building has complained about the sidewalk there being lifted by a tree. He invited Commission members to look at the tree. He does not feel the tree needs to be removed. Mr. Patterson said routine practice is to ask the resident to speak to their contractor to discuss methods to fix the problem. Tree removal is a last resort. Mr. Miller has two possible solutions. One is to redo the sidewalk and direct people away from the tree and the other is redirecting the sidewalk towards the wall. Commission members will look at the tree before the next meeting. He feels this body should write a request to the Park Commission asking them to adopt a policy of automatically replacing trees that die. (Discussion followed about tree history and soil type in Battery Park.) The three-eighths mile marker has been vandalized and is floating in the water near the boat ramp used by the fire company. Mr. Thatcher will look into removing the marker. Mr. Miller expressed interest in extending the walkway into a loop for pedestrians and bikers. The loop would extend along Route 9. The property where the sluice gate ends is not owned by the City which presents a problem and the wetlands would also prevent extension of the path.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Patterson recently spoke with Henry Poole who is the Urban Forestry Coordinator replacing Brian Hall. Mr. Poole would like to attend our next meeting. He was given a copy of our survey which he will review and try to give us a sense of any maintenance that needs to be done. The new City Public Works Director is Matt Christopher. We will invite him to a future meeting to discuss issues, such as sidewalks, that he will encounter. He received a notice from Cathie Thomas informing that the City’s Tree U.S.A. designation has lapsed and asking how to get back on the list. Mr. Patterson will discuss with Ms. Thomas. He also spoke to Bob Rizzardi about the work he is doing for us. He has lost several employees
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
November 5, 2007
Page 3
thereby putting him behind schedule. Mr. Patterson plans on meeting with Mr. Rizzardi in the near future to go over what has been done and what needs to be done. (Discussion followed about outstanding work.) Received a call from Chris Whitten informing they still have about $1,000 they would be willing to donate in Ross Abson’s) name (park bench, etc.)
Mr. Patterson expressed concern to Mr. Gebhart that there is a perception by some Trustees that the Tree Commission wasn’t being responsive to Trustees issues. Mr. Gebhart has not heard of any issues such as this. Mr. Patterson asked Mr. Gebhart to reiterate to the Trustees that if any of them has an issue or concern they should present it to Mr. Gebhart as our liaison and Mr. Gebhart will bring it back to the Tree Commission and this body will do whatever we can to assist. The reputation of this body is intact and well respected by the Trustees.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gebhart made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Keyser seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
| 
