Orchard Park Committee.

Minutes for September 12, 2016 at 6:30PM in Orchard Park

Next Meeting October 3 at 7:30PM at Admin Office (45 Keeley Ave)

Attending:  Jo Schuler, Tess LaMontagne, Derek MacMillan, Tom Price

Absent:

Visitors: Sam Bryant, Lynn Worsfold, Lori Kesilman

We are in need of TWO members.  Contact the office (nbboro@newbritainboro.com; 215-348-4586) if you are interested.

Committee Organization:

• Derek is Chair
• Sam is Interim Secretary and Interim Treasurer
• Andrea is Information Officer
• We meet usually on first Mondays of the month  

Agenda for meeting:

1. Administrative Items
2. Old Business
3. New Business
4. Action Items

Minutes for Tonight’s Meeting:

1. Administrative Items

1. Budget for 2016

1. Sam provided the figures for 2016 spending thus far.  The committee has spent $1,145 out of a $5,000 budget.  $200 will be needed for mowing, and $1,300 has been approved for the rock mound removal.  Jo calculated this leaves $2,355 in the budget for this year.
2. The committee then approved to have All About You do the island clearing for $900.  The committee requested Sam check what sort of weed barrier will be used.
3. All About You provided a quote to remove 3 trees, while Gilbert’s quote was for 1 tree.  Sam was asked to get a quote from Gilbert to remove 3 trees.  Sam also needs to find out from All About You if trees will be ground.
4. Gilbert previously provided a quote to brush hog on the other side of the Community Garden.  Sam was asked to get quotes from Gilbert and All About You to remove invasives by hand.
5. The committee requested Sam get quotes to remove the vines and invasives growing on the Red Dogwood near the park entrance.
6. It was decided to defer doing tree planting in the Park for 2016 until other work was done, and status of landscaping plan was decided.  In addition, Tom noted that Highland Hill was out of the trees needed by the committee for this planting.

2. Vacancies

1. Sam noted that Janice was not interested but Janet is.  Committee members were concerned that her application notes only enough time for every few months, when meetings are monthly.  Derek left her a voicemail to ask about this.  If she can attend monthly meetings, the committee would recommend her for appointment.

3. PECO Grant

1. Sam noted this item was also tied with the Small Communities grant, as the Borough could use this funding to help provide a match.  Specifically, the Borough needs to make Orchard Park handicap accessible to comply with ADA requirements.  This item is discussed further in New Business.

4. PA Wetlands Grant

1. Sam noted a grant application was submitted.  No word on its status has been received.  Tom explained this would be $1,000 for plantings and educational signage in the wetland portion of the park near the entrance.

2. Old Business

1. Update on DEP Permit

1. Sam is continuing to follow up with the Army Corps of Engineers.  Once they verify that no bog turtle is present, DEP can approve the permit.

2. Information Center Update

1. Lori volunteered to help Andrea with the Information Center.

3. Pruning of existing apple trees

1. Sam reported that quotes were received from Gilbert and All About You.  Gilbert provided an hourly figure to prune 17 trees, while All About You provided a single figure to prune 14 trees.  Sam was requested to get a figure from Gilbert to prune 14 trees.  This project would need to be budgeted for 2018.

4. Review quotes for rock pile removal and cutting back undergrowth

1. Discussed during 2016 Budget in Administrative Items.

5. Gilmore’s request for proposal costs applied to the PECO grant; ADA compliance plans (Small Communities Grant); Grant $10,000, Boro $10,000

1. Derek explained the Small Communities grant, which is money from DCNR for park/trail projects in communities with less than 5,000 people.  The first $20,000 requires no match, and up to another $20,000 can be requested with a 50/50 match.
2. Sam noted that if the Borough simultaneously applied for a PECO Grant, the $10,000 provided by PECO could be used as part of the Borough’s $20,000 match for the DCNR grant.
3. The Committee asked Sam to find out if this funding would be limited to Orchard Park, or if other Borough sites/projects could be included.
4. The Committee discussed if it would be appropriate to have Gilmore and Associates work on this project.  Sam would get a quote from Gilmore, as well as from the Borough Engineer.
5. The concept of a community meeting to discuss the wants/needs/goals for Orchard Park was discussed.

3. New Business

1. Bee Hives Maintenance; Fall Honey Harvest

1. There will be no further honey this year.

4. Action Items

1. New Member Nominations

1. As discussed earlier, if Janet confirms she can attend monthly, the committee will recommend Council appoint her.

2. $40,000 DCNR Grant, $20,000 (Professional Engineers) Gilmore

1. Discussed in “Old Business”

3. Honey giveaway to the community.

1. Derek noted there were still five bottles of honey remaining.  He recommended giving them away at the next Council meeting.  The Committee agreed and Lori offered to bring tickets to use for the random drawing.

5. Other

1. “Recreation”

1. Lori requested the members of the Committee think on how to provide more “Recreation” for the community, as it is the Parks and Recreation Committee.  Lori suggested classes, events and workshops are possible ideas.

2. Dirt Dumping

1. The Committee discussed possibilities for storing dirt to be used in the community garden that will need to sit through the winter.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:24PM.