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The
New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on
December 3, 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
Lillian
Shue
Member
Absent: Matt White
Council
Liaison: Jan Churchill
The
meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Mr. Patterson.
Approval
of Minutes – Two
changes in text were requested by Commission members. A
motion was made to approve the minutes of the 10/1/07 meeting as
amended. The motion was seconded and approved.
Mr.
Patterson reported that he hoped to have Henry Poole, Urban Forestry
Coordinator, in attendance tonight. He did attend a recent meeting
of the League of Local Governments. Ms. Churchill attended that
meeting and brought us information from that meeting. Ms. Keyser
suggested providing this information to Public Works Director Matt
Christopher.
Tree
U.S.A. Designation – He informed Cathie Thomas that he felt we
need the support of a strong tree ordinance before getting this
designation. He will be attempting to pull together the various
documents and get one ordinance prepared for review.
(Mr.
Patterson gave a brief history of this Commission’s
relationship with past Urban Forestry Coordinators. Mr. Miller
commented that past coordinators felt that there was great potential
for urban forestry in the City of New Castle.)
Ms.
Thomas approached Mr. Patterson about getting a grant this year to
complete the planting in Dobbinsville. This is something the Tree
Commission would like to do. Ms. Thomas was to take this before
Council; it is unknown what the status is to date.
REPORT
OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Erv
Thatcher – Stumps
have been removed in Buttonwood and a cherry tree has been taken down
at the Trolley Barn. He has not taken the trees out in Shawtown but
will do that soon.
Fran
Peden – The trees in
the median of Route 9 at Boothurst need limbing up on the bottom.
Mr. Thatcher does have this job on his list.
Susan
Keyser – Spoke to
Brian Jamison at Brandywine Nurseries about our planting. He has all
the trees. We need to mark the trees and he will put them in. She
asked Mr. Jamison to forward all paperwork to Mr. Patterson before we
begin. She will pick up a can of paint from Mr. Patterson and begin
the marking process. She asked
New Castle City Tree Commission
Meeting
December
7, 2007
Page
2
Mr.
Thatcher to instruct Mr. Jamison where the memorial tree will be
located. Twenty-four hours notice will be needed. She reported that
someone wanted a larger tree. She has received a quote from
Brandywine and the person will make payment for the larger tree.
(Mr. Patterson has received
the payment.)
Lillian
Shue – Nothing to
report.
Mark
Miller – Asked if
anyone had looked at the sidewalk at the rectory building. Ms.
Keyser felt that the biggest issue was the tree closest to the
corner. (Discussion
followed.) Mr. Miller
informed the residents they cannot cut the roots. Mr. Patterson
suggested the residents have their contractor contact this Commission
to discuss options. Mr. Miller will make contact with the residents.
Chandler
Gebhart – He reported
that he did speak with the Trustees about mechanisms in place that
involve the Tree Commission. He informed them to make contact with
him about their concerns and he would approach this Commission. The
Trustees do not have any concerns at this time.
Discussion about the tree
on Second Street and types of corrective action followed.
Suggestions included
installing a bumper next to the curb that forces vehicles to park
away from the curb and away from the tree. Concern was expressed
about possible damage to vehicles resulting from the bumper.
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
Bull
Hill Trees – After
our last meeting Mr. Patterson reported the problem with these trees
to Cathie Thomas. She was concerned about destruction of city
property. Mr. Patterson has placed an article in the local
newspaper to bring attention to the problem. The value of the
destroyed trees is $600. He suggested to the police department that
they talk to residents and possibly install surveillance equipment.
Substitute trees will be planted. Public awareness to City property
is key. He is also considering the Town Crier or notices in upcoming
utility bills. (Discussion
followed.)
Tree
on Second Street @ Presbyterian Church
– Mr. Patterson has notified Ms. Thomas about
complaints from people incurring damage to vehicles from a knot
protruding from the tree. This is a City issue; the Tree Commission
has no authority. (Suggestions
included installing signage and/or a bumper.) It
was suggested that Mr. Gebhart inform the church that
parishioners write a letter to the City requesting assistance with
the issue. This is a healthy tree and cutting it will ultimately
kill the tree.
Bob
Rizzardi will be meeting with Mr. Patterson soon to go over the list
of things that are to be done.
Mr.
Patterson received a call from the proprietor of Bridgewater. A
branch fell from a sycamore tree across from her business and struck
an employee’s vehicle. She asked about restitution from the
City. Mr. Patterson informed this is an ‘act of God’ and
likely would not be the City’s responsibility. Ms. Keyser
suggested having Mr. Rizzardi take a look at the subject tree
as well as other sycamore trees on Second Street because of the high
wind conditions we are currently experiencing. (Discussion
followed.)
New Castle City Tree Commission
Meeting
December
3, 2007
Page
3
Mr.
Patterson informed the City has a new employee with a tree service
background. He hopes to make this employee the lead person for trees
for Municipal Services.
Mr.
Miller feels the Trustees should work closely with this Commission
and Urban Forestry personnel. He suggested the Trustees lead the
greening of the City. Ms. Keyser offered that trees along the
river path are more welcome than trees around residential areas along
the river.
A
motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Debbie
Turner
Stenographer
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