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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-3Tree Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 12/03/2013 7PM Community Room 4 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket, MA Members Present: David Champoux, Paul Droz, Michael Misurelli, Benjamin Champoux, Whit Bourne, Dale Gary DPW representative. Members not present: Sam Myers, Terry Pommett Public Present: Kara Buzanoski v w =� h Call to order: Chairman David Champoux called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. m Approve the meeting minutes from March 5,2013: David Champoux made a motion to pro °ve G previous meeting minutes. Michael Misurelli seconded the motion and the minutes were:appred rn CP unanimously. z n � Discussion on the large Elm in front of The Brotherhood of Thieves: n� s Dale Gary reported a large limb came down on August 3`° the limb weighed approximately 2600 lbs. On the following day Dale got into the tree to clean up the jagged edges where the limb let go and noticed the wood is very punky. There was discussion on de weighting the tree but in the end the only way to insure public safety is to explore removal. Considering the sewer project that will be taking place in this area also will have a negative effect on the trees viability. Kara Buzanoski reported a sewer project will get underway in this area after Jan 1. It was also noted this tree sustained significant damage over the years from construction and fire. It was noted this is a very popular tree in the downtown area that many are sentimentally attached to but in the interest of public safety this tree has become hazardous. Kara Buzanoski asked the opinion of the TAC before going to the BOS asking for permission to remove. It was the opinion of the TAC that this tree has become a hazard and should be removed. Mike Misurelli made a motion to recommend to the town the tree be removed Benjamin Champoux seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Kara will make a recommendation to the BOS the tree be removed in the in the interest of being good stewards to public safety. There was discussion of putting a new tree in its place post sewer construction involving variety and location. TAC will continue discussing this after removal if approved by the BOS. Citizen request for removal of a town tree located at 56 Oranges St: The tree in question is a town owned Ash planted in the late 70's early 80's. It was noted by warden Champoux the TAC has discussed this tree before and it's encroachment on the wires. Dale Gary reported this is not a problem at the moment since he recently pruned the tree. It is a tree that is prone to excessive suckering. The owner has indicated they would replant a Pear tree in its place, it was discussed and TAC feels this is not a good street tree. Paul Droz had a discussion with the owner who offered to plan the Pear in her yard. TAC discussed this and was not comfortable setting precedence to give up a street location in exchange. Misurelli asked why the owner wanted to get rid of the tree and Warden Champoux read an email from the owner. Letter stated the tree was a vigorous grower into the wires as well as hung low into the street. The letter went on to appeal for help from the town maintaining the tree. It was decided by the TAC that we would not remove the tree and the town would continue maintaining it. General tree pruning of town trees: Dale Gary pointed out there are approximately 5 Maple trees on Main St. Siasconst that are in rapid decline with significant rot in V crotches. Dale will identify the tree and TAC members will go out and view them before the next meeting. TAC will continue the discussion during its January meeting with regards to replant location and species. All the elms in the Pleasant St. area are currently being pruned; Dale will get about 50 of these trees pruned this winter. New Business: The Pleasant St. area continues to evolve and the TAC is considering this area for additional town trees. Andrew Vorce has some plans in the general area that the town is considering. Kara Buzanoski recommended TAC look at these plans and see if tree varieties were suitable. The Chicken Box area and Pharmacy area are targeted by the TAC to improve the general look of the area. TAC discussed using some of the money from CC5 to improve this area. Granite curbing and a tree planting were discussed for the location. Ben Champoux had a discussion with Ray Pohl about the new building corner of North Star and Old South Road. A Honey Locust came down on the site during the early phase of construction. Mr. Pohl is offering to plant 4 elms along the street. TAC discussed what varieties would be suitable here Accolade elm seems to be the favored tree. Dale will discuss this variety and size to be planted with the owner. Dale recommends the town owns the trees after one year so we are assured the town inherits healthy trees. A building site on 20 and 22 Westchester St neglected to act in accordance with a written agreement to fence off trees. Ben Champoux spoke to the builder Chip Stahl and saw to it the fences were put up immediately. There will be some cuts made to exposed roots and protection will be monitored going forward. Dale Gary brought the Buisman Elm in front of Met on Main, the tree is in decline and Dale recommends removing it. Zelkova and Saw Tooth Oak were possible replacements. The other area discussed for improvement is the strip along Broad St. Dale indicated the trees there struggle with salt water flooding and abuse from pedestrians. Cage systems and elevated planters were discussed to give the trees in this area more of a chance to prosper. Adjournment: Benjamin Champoux motioned for adjournment, Mike Misurelli seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm. Tree Advisory Committee Meeting of December 3, 2013, @7PM Community Room 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket 1. Call to order. 2. Approve minutes of the meeting of March 5, 2013. 3. Discussion on large Elm in front of the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant. 4. Citizen request for removal of a town tree located at 56 Orange St. 5. General tree pruning of town trees. 6. New business. 7. Public Comment. 8. Adjournment. � o v w r+T � m � � n mr o m i � O Z � m s II y �i 21 I C H rb,l Vs ff—liff Mike Misurelli From: Dave Champoux <dcland02584 @gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 4:20 PM To: Mike Misurelli Subject: Fwd: Orange /Mulberry town ash tree Begin forwarded message: From: Erika Mooney <EMoonev((Dnantucket- ma.gov> Subject: FW: Orange /Mulberry town ash tree Date: November 25, 2013 10:10:49 AM EST To: "Dave Champoux (dcland(&comcast.net)" <dcland(a)comcast.net >, Dave Champoux <dcland02584(d-)g mail. com> Cc: Kara Buzanoski <kbuzanoskianantucket- ma.gov> Dave: Please see email below, as well as a support letter, attached Erika Erika D. ,Mooney Executive Asidstant to the Town Manager Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket MA 02554 508 -228 7266 Direct 508 - 2287255 Town Administration 5D8-228 7272 Fax From: iudygmac @a0l.c0m [mailto:judygmac @aol.com] Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 2:43 PM To: Erika Mooney Subject: Orange /Mulberry town ash tree Dear Erica, Please be so kind as to forward this note to David Champoux. I'm not sure how to reach him directly. Much appreciated! - Judy MacLeod Dear David, We spoke a few years ago when I was completing renovations on our home at 56 Orange (corner with Mulberry), about the ash tree which is town owned, on our comer. It grows very vigorously and every summer so far it has grown into the wires that run above it, as well as hung down low over the Orange St sidewalk and into Mulberry St. We have lopped branches that we can reach when they were hitting people on the sidewalk, but we really need the town to help us with regular annual maintenance on the tree. It hits our home as well as every truck that turns down Mulberry. Most importantly, it could start an electrical fire by hitting the lines above it in a high wind and this is a constant danger. When we originally planned our landscaping revisions, we planned to replace the ash with an ornamental pear. At the last minute, Town decided to retain the ash. We therefore only planted one pear tree on the south side of our home along Orange, rather than one each on both north and south. If at some point the town is willing to let us replace the ash with a pear we would do so at our cost. Until then, however, please let me know how and who to call when the tree is in need of pruning, as it is now. Thanks very much, Judy and John MacLeod 56 Orange St From: Robert Schwarzenbach <rsbachng.gmail.com> Subject: Tree Replacement Date: November 23, 2013 11:33:48 AM EST To: Erika Mooney <EMoonev c(D.nantucket- ma.qov> Erica - Would you please pass this on to David Champoux, the Town Tree Worden Thanks, Robert. David - I write in support of Judith Macl-oud of 56 Orange Street. She would like to replace the Ash Tree on the corner of her lot with a Pear Tree which would match the one she has on the other side of her yard. I am just across from her house and look at it every day. My observation is that the Pear Tree would be perfect for the small irregular corner yard and would not encroach upon her house, the road or the utility wires, as is the case with the Ash Tree. In the summer, one can clearly see that the Ash Tree grows like a weed, has no shape and hangs down over the road, hits the wires and increasingly is all over the house. In short, it is much too big a tree for the little lot space between the house and the road. I really hope you can give Judith Macl-oud the green light to replace the Ash Tree in the spring. Thank you for your consideration and if you would like to talk with me further on this please call at 508- 228 -6278. Robert Schwarzenbach 69 Orange Street