June 1, 2020

Pleasant Beach Shade Tree Commission

June 1, 2020 – Minutes

 

 

Present:           Anne Lightburn, Peter Ritchings, and Louise Stillufsen

 

Absent:            Peter Renner, Don Rodgers, Elaine Hennessy, Dave Smith and Council liaison Caryn Byrnes

 

Guests:            Councilman Doug Vitale

 

Anne Lightburn called the ZOOM meeting to order at 7:00 pm and thanked Councilman Vitale for setting up. The committee approved the May meeting minutes as submitted.  Anne reported that all the trees for Niblick and Atlantic have been planted.  Anne reported that the town has drawn up a tree protection ordinance to prohibit clear cutting on knock-down and development properties.  Doug informed that it will be up for a first reading at the June 16th council meeting.

 

Louise recommended that the commission place one Tree City USA sign on an existing pole in the first traffic island on 35S.  All agreed and Louise will send that recommendation to Caryn to let the council know where the sign is going.

 

There was a lengthy discussion n how to evaluate the sights for the Fisher Family Fund.  There are over 20 applicants and there is an August deadline.  It was decided to divide up the applications and have each commissioner rate the site as an A, B, C or F.  The grade will be an overall rating based on the width of the tree lawn, absence of trees on the block and presence of wires.

 

The commission discussed the need to rehabilitate the strip between the sidewalk and firehouse parking on Arnold Ave.  It is hoped that the Environmental Commission might take on this project at its June meeting.

 

Louise brought up the issue of marking the Shade Tree Commission through the use of its LOGO. One thought was t purchase tree identification tags for the trees on Arnold Ave. and have the STC LOGO on it.  Pete Ritchings was Googling suppliers and found some that might work.  Louise is going to check with the High School to see if students can produce tags.

 

The commission discussed the draft summary memo for the Street Tree Inventory project.  Pete suggested that we add educational programs as a future goal.  Topics such as tree pruning, maintenance and selection were suggested.  Anne will circulate the memo for additional comments before sending to the council

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:10