The New Castle City’s Tree Commission Meeting took place on November 7, 2005 at
5:30 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall.
Members Present: Chip Patterson, Chairman
Erv Thatcher
Susan Keyser
Lillian Shue
Fran Peden
Matt White
Members Absent: Mark Miller
Chandler Gebhart
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chairman Patterson. The Chair opened the floor to Andrew Hayes who made a presentation about the software for mapping trees that was discussed at last month’s meeting. He advised there is a free version of the software that is a viewer that is offered by the company that would enable Commission members to view data, but not update data. It is a version of the GIS software. If Commission members have data in GIS format it can be incorporated into the file. He suggested having the consultant be the “keeper” of the data and you could email that person with updates so they can manipulate the file. He also suggested talking to a vendor of software to get additional feedback. (He provided a printout of a webpage providing information on vendors.) Concern was expressed that the file is already obsolete; work that has already been done must be incorporated before additional work is done. (The Chair provided a history of the project to date.) Mr. White inquired whether Mr. Hayes would be interested in assisting; he feels the most economical route would be to stay with the current consultant. Commission members will explore the viewer software. Mr. Thatcher will check to see if he can get a copy of the map of trees, give it to the Chair and he will scan copies for Commission members.
Report of Commission Members
Irv Thatcher – Nothing to report.
Lillian Shue – Nothing to report.
Fran Peden – Nothing to report.
Susan Keyser – She has 13 trees with a couple more suggestions from Mr. White. Reported she has placed a call to Bob Sloan to get some feedback. Mr. White has also called for him to inform him we would like him to take more of a management role in the acquisition, transportation and planting all in one package and bill us for the time involved. (She reviewed a number of trees that need to be removed; lengthy discussion took place about trees that need to be added to the list.) Ms. Keyser expressed concern about problems being experienced with ash trees and bore treatments. (Discussion about bore treatments and its cost took place.) Commission members decided to remove ash trees from the list of replacement trees. The Chair inquired whether Sally Monigle had requested another ash tree as a replacement. Ms. Keyser said the problem on her property is related to vitoferin (?) and any tree put in would need to be vitoferin-resistant. The tree currently there has died and it is the second tree that has died in that location. Vitoferin (?) is a root disease, a fungus. It spreads quickly and we need to contain it. Mr. White asked if Russ Carlson had provided a lab result; Ms. Keyser said the lab result is from Bartlett. He feels the only time vitoferin (?) affects a tree is when the tree is diseased or stressed.
Matt White – Nothing to report.
New Castle City Tree Commission Meeting
November 7, 2005
Page 2
Chairman’s Report
Tree Ordinance – The attorneys have not exchanged paperwork to date, so we are still waiting for an opinion from City Solicitor Gerry Kavanaugh.
908 Clayton Street -- We have a letter that was sent to the homeowner at 908 Clayton Street informing their sidewalk needs repairs. The homeowner is asking for removal of the tree by the Tree Commission and he will replace the sidewalk and put a tree in to replace the one that is removed. Mr. White said it was a slippery elm tree and it is a volunteer tree. He doesn’t believe there is any way to fix the sidewalk and leave the tree in place. Mr. White made a motion to remove the tree at 908 Clayton Street and get the sidewalk fixed; Ms. Shue seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Delmarva Power – Delmarva Power had an arborist to do tree trimming along the railroad tracks and along Delaware Street. We visited all of the trees with them. There was a sycamore tree near Carrie Downie (not sure where right-of-way is located) that we talked about pruning. I received a call from Ron Tucker of Asplundh Tree Experts saying his men had mistakenly cut the tree down. Asplundh marks trees with red dots for removal and a surveyor’s mark was on the tree and it was also red. He informed he would replace the tree. The Chair will speak with the school district to determine whose property it was on.
10th & Clayton Street – A maple was taken down at this location; it had been declining earlier and has since died.
18 E. Sixth Street -- The Chair received a call from Sonny Urich, 18 E. Sixth Street, regarding a cherry tree in front of his house. He shaved the root on the tree when he did work on the sidewalk and the sidewalk is now raised again. The Chair contacted Russ Carlson to give an opinion as to whether the root is cut or what can be done to resolve the issue.
The Chair reported that Delmarva Power is talking about using a chemical treatment to retard the sycamore growth. I asked for information on the chemical being used and informed them not to use treatment on any tree in the City right-of-way. Ms. Keyser advised that the City has an agreement with them to do pruning, but applying chemicals to the soil is different. (Lengthy discussion about the DowElanco chemical handout took place.)
Adjournment – Mr. White made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Thatcher seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Turner
Stenographer
