The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on December 4, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Erv Thatcher
Susan Keyser
Fran Peden
Mark Miller
Members Absent: Matt White
Lillian Shue
Chandler Gebhart
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Chairman Patterson.
Approval of Minutes – A minor correction on page one was noted. A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made and seconded. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
REPORT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
Erv Thatcher – There is a swamp maple at Fourth and Harmony Streets that has three-four branches at the top dying and have been removed. There is a tree on Second Street (166 Second Street) that is producing berries that are damaging vehicles when they fall off. This has occurred in the last six weeks. Ms. Keyser will try to identify the species of tree.
Susan Keyser – She passed around her tree planting list (13 trees) and will accept additions. We need single leader trees and informed the nursery they want to look at the trees. We are still unhappy with Sally Monigle’s tree and asked that Nancy Ferguson’s geikos be straightened up. One issue that came up during the last planting was the abundance of roots encountered in a few locations. She informed the planter that they should provide a bill for this work rather than raising prices. He was in agreement. If the weather isn’t freezing it is expected the trees will be put in this month. She asked if a location had been selected for the Anita Banks memorial tree. Mr. Miller recommended the park, which is being planned.
(Discussion about trees at the courthouse, library, Mr. Thatcher’s street and South Street followed.)
Fran Peden – What do we want to do about the stump at Chris DiAscanis’ property? Mr. Patterson said we will grind the stump. He is not requesting a replacement tree.
Mark Miller – He looked at the tree at 23 East Fifth Street that is causing buckling of the sidewalk. He does not see a major problem and is not in favor of removing the tree. The homeowner has repaired the sidewalk twice and neighbors are now complaining. The tree is a tulip poplar which is not the proper tree for the location. (Lengthy discussion followed including responsibility of the homeowner and if there is an alternative that can be worked out with the homeowner, we take the alternative. If not, it must be removed. The homeowner has requested removal of the tree.)
Mr. Thatcher made a motion to remove the tree on Fifth Street; Mr. Patterson seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1. Messrs. Patterson, Thatcher, Peden and Ms. Keyser cast favorable votes with Mr. Miller casting a dissenting vote.
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
December 4, 2006
Page 2
Mr. Miller proposed that we follow through on Mr. Gebhart’s invitation to develop a concept for looking at Trust lands as a type of conservancy and to come up with a long-term vision to do more tree planting. This is a global warming issue that requires local initiatives. (Discussion about locations, including Penn Farm, followed.)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Patterson reported that Bob Rizzardi has removed the tree in front of the Davis house and the health of the mulberry tree on Chestnut Street and the tree at 17 The Strand are being checked out. He contacted Tim Skully about the holly trees on the Tidwell property to inform we would not be removing same. He then suggested that the local garden club be contacted to see if they would like to use the holly as decorations in the city.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
