The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on December 5, 2005 at
5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Susan Keyser
Lillian Shue
Matt White
Mark Miller
Chandler Gebhart
Members Absent: Erv Thatcher
Fran Peden
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Chairman Patterson. The Chair suggested opening the floor to audience concerns.
Barbara Grady, Van Dyke Village, asked the Tree Commission for help with a tree that was damaged by a cement truck. The cement company (Pioneer) has been almost unresponsive in addressing her concern. She was unaware that the tree is owned by the City. (The Chair advised that all trees planted in the public right-of-way are City property and the jurisdiction of the Tree Commission.) She presented a letter detailing the incident, a New Castle City Police Accident Information form, an invoice from First State, Inc. for tree removal, and a proposal from First State, Inc. for additional tree services at her location. Mr. White asked if she wants the Tree Commission to replace the tree or reimburse for the services of having it taken down, stump grinded and a new tree planted. She said if we will take it down and grind the stump she would be happy to have that done, but would like to have the same kind of tree (a pear tree) replaced. The Chair said they could pursue the insurance claim for the loss of the tree and getting reimbursed, and it is our tradition to plant another tree as long as the homeowner helps maintain the tree the first couple of years. A replacement tree will be put on the list for the Spring planting. (Discussion later in the meeting concerned the type of tree that should be planted at this property; the Chair informed he would speak with the homeowner.)
David Boudreau Primack requested the Tree Commission take three trees down and find suitable replacements at his property at 65 West 4th Street and his neighbors’ homes at 67, 69 and 71 West 4th Street. They are nuisance trees that produce berries that create property and safety concerns. (Letters from Mr. Primack and Christopher Baum of 67 West 4th Street are attached to the minutes as part of record. Mr. Baum was unable to be in attendance.)
(Brief discussion about the trees in question took place.) Mr. White said there are two pears and one red oak and another pear on the opposite end of 4th Street that are not in good condition. The Chair said the letters indicate three trees of the same variety in a row (67, 69, 71 West 4th Street). The pear trees, regardless of being a nuisance tree or not, have problems within themselves. We should address whether this is an appropriate type of tree for our planting list in the future. Ms. Shue moved to remove all three trees; Ms. Keyser seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Report of Commission Members
Lillian Shue – We have already addressed her concern.
Susan Keyser – There is a tree that is straight up above the wires. They have the same complaint of berries as previously stated. She informed them that they need to write a letter
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December 5, 2005
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to the Tree Commission or appear before this body to address their concern. The Chair advised they need to follow procedure and not allow a Commission member to make their case for them. Ms. Keyser informed them our general rule of thumb when we have an actively growing, healthy tree is not to remove them and if they wish to have the tree removed they are to write a letter to the Chair. She expected them to be in attendance this evening. She raised the concern because we have been discussing these trees. (Discussion about planting cultivars in the future took place.)
We looked at an ash tree near William Penn with a number of bore holes. At our last meeting it was suggested we might want to start removing ash trees. She proposed asking Russ (Carlson) to provide an opinion on whether removal is necessary or not. There are 20-25 ash trees that are less than 15 years old that we could have evaluated. The Chair informed the cost will be $100-$150 per tree to write a report on each ash tree. She suggested asking him to give an estimate on his time. He said it is fine to ask him about his opinion about ash trees in general. The Chair will speak with Russ about a course of action for the existing trees and see what he says. The group agreed with this course of action.
The status of the job with Bob Sloan was raised. Mr. White said he is picking up trees tomorrow and they will start planting in the afternoon and Wednesday morning.
The Chair informed we removed a sycamore tree at 7th and Tremont Street. We were going to plant in the same place, but there is now a stop sign at that location and any tree put in will obscure the sign. It is in front of Ennio’s mother’s house. This is not an appropriate place to put in a tree today. Mr. White asked if there is any precedent in the Commission’s history where we were forced to plant a tree by a homeowner when it was in a spot that was not practical. None was noted. Everyone was in agreement with the decision not to replant in the same location.
Matt White – Reported he sent all Commission members an email about an organization called The Care of Trees, a national tree company with a regional office in King of Prussia. Their regional district sales manager is someone who has worked with this group before and their primary focus is preservation of heritage trees. They are a spray and arborist service as well. He asked them if they would provide estimates in the future to keep a competitive edge with Bartlett’s and to give us a second opinion. They will give us a presentation at our January meeting (1/9/06).
We removed the tree at 30 6th Street that was infested. The tree next to it is a Norway maple that has decline in the top of it with two branches threatening over 6th Street. The Chair asked him if he had any discussion with any of the homeowners about the nature of those trees and what he had observed. Mr. White said he did speak with Charlie Hitchens who pointed the pest out to him. He told Mr. Hitchens what he learned from Russ (Carlson), but no other neighbors. The Chair said he received a call from the homeowner who was upset she was not informed the tree would be removed. The Chair thought Mr. White spoke with the homeowner. Mr. White admitted he did not ask what the protocol was in this case and said he would speak with that homeowner. Mr. White added there is another Norway maple next to it that does have some decline on it also. While Rizzardi’s is removing branches on the other Norway maple we should ask them to keep a watch out for pencil-sized eraser holes in that tree. He inspected the trunk and did not see any holes (Mr. White detailed the procedure used to detect decaying wood in these trees. Preemptive removal of these trees in the past was also discussed.)
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Chandler Gebhart informed that when the Trustees decided on having the gathering that recognized people who donated their time, he brought up the efforts of the Tree Commission. Current and past members were invited and he thanked those members who were present. Your efforts are appreciated.
The Chair asked Mr. Gebhart about funding of the forester. Mr. Gebhart feels that the Trustees would support this body concerning this position.
Mark Miller requested the removal of the volunteer tree that is damaging the sidewalk of Bob and Mary Davis at 24 East 3rd Street. He also expressed concern about trees at the new building project (Deemer’s Landing). The Chair advised at the entrance to Deemer’s Landing there were provisions to put trees between the curb and sidewalk, but the electric for the street lighting will prevent this. He spoke with the owner about this concern and asked that they plant trees behind the sidewalk, which may put them out of the right-of-way.
Request to Remove Ornamental Plum – Lois Barth would like to have the tree removed and not replaced with anything. Ms. Keyser informed it is badly damaged and partially dead. She made a motion to remove the plum tree, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Chairman’s Report
The Chair informed the group he had a tree survey map and corresponding list of trees with him this evening. (Discussion took place about the survey and getting URS (Dave Athey) to come to a future Tree Commission meeting to discuss the survey.)
Tree Ordinance – The Chair informed that he has sent a letter to Gerry Kavanaugh complaining about the time it is taking for him to provide an opinion. A copy was sent to Council President Bill Blest.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
