Orchard Park Committee.

Minutes for June 13, 2016 at 7:00PM in Orchard Park

Next Meeting at Orchard Park July 11th at 7:30PM at Admin Office

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

Absent:

Visitors: Sam Bryant, Lynn Worsfold

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
• Tess is Treasurer
• Sam is Interim Secretary
• We meet usually on first Mondays of the month  

Agenda for meeting:

1. Screening Trees
2. TreeVitalize Grant
3. Other Business

Minutes for Tonight’s Meeting:

1. Screening Trees

1. After discussion, it was agreed to get 5 white pines and 5 norway spruce from Highland Hill, using dedicated Tree Bank funds.  Tom will follow up with Highland Hill and will plan to have them planted in September.

2. TreeVitalize Grant

1. Tess explained the parameters of the grant to the group, and the value of leveraging the remaining $1200 in dedicated Tree Bank funds via the TreeVitalize grant.  The grant submission deadline is September 15th and will require Council approval.  The Committee will need to approve an application at its August meeting.
2. After discussion, three priority areas were identified:

1. The entry area to the Park – possible improvement would include removing the jewel weed and planting a swamp oak, planting shrubs by the welcome sign, removing the wood chip pile, planting a birch in the area behind the sign;  Also the reeds on the other side of the wooden walkway should be cut back to create a straight entry to the park proper.
2. The back/side area near the shed – by the shed itself, shrubs should be planted to obscure it; the invasive plants in the wetland area should be cleared out and additional trees planted;
3. The area near the kiosk – various shrubs should be planted in this area.

3. After discussion, the Committee asked Tess to start working out estimated costs for the application.  Tom noted he could help with specific plant selection.

3. Other Business

1. Sam noted that DEP has requested the Army Corps of Engineers do a study regarding the bog turtle for the walkway/water line permit.  This is highly unusual request and will be protested with the head of the local DEP office.  In addition, a similar study was already done when the bike/hike trail bridge was installed at nearby Covered Bridge Park.
2. Sam would speak with the Borough Engineer/Roadmaster about removing the dead/fallen trees.  Andrea will get another vendor for removing the stone pile.

With no further business, the meeting was then adjourned at 8:18PM.