HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2014-08-27
STAC Meeting Aug 27, 2014
Present: Nina Bassuk, Judy Fogel, Laurene Gilbert, Jeanne Grace, Pamela Markham, Judith Maxwell,
Barb Neal, Paul Paradine, Debra Statton.
Forester’s Report:
Jeanne and Nina took the revised Master Plan first to BPW, then to Planning, then to City Administration,
after which Common Council passed it. The next step is to get the Master Plan inserted into Site Plan
Review.
Removals –have 30 down with 10 more on the list and 10 more in mind. Plan to replace the post office
elms in spring with something taller, columnar, suited to well‐drained, alkaline soil.
DEC is putting out a prohibited and a restricted list which is open for comment now but then will become
law. On the prohibited list are multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, Amur cork tree, sycamore maple,
autumn olive. “Regulated” can still be sold but needs sign saying invasive and harmful to environment; on
that list are Norway spruce, black locust, burning bush . . .
Jeanne described the area ready for trees on Esty, Plain and Court, outlining the new GIAC sports field, and
asked for planting suggestions. Need trees that can tolerate wet feet. Also, the residents haven’t had trees
there for a long time (coal tar remediation) and want faster‐growing trees.
The electric lines along Plain are high and can accommodate medium trees—30’tall or narrow 40’
(planting is 15’ off from wires). Trees for Plain should be more upright so NYSEG won’t have to side trim.
The poles on Esty are 45’. [Paul explains that all new construction will be tall, using taller poles, since
everyone wants on the pole (fiber optics).] The electric lines have to be moved to the other side of Esty, so
best to plant Esty in Spring.
Can plant Plain and Court Streets now, and use b/b. There’s also space for approx. 5 trees on the
west side of Plain. Nina volunteers her class to plant the 18 trees on Plain and Court on November 13.
Jeanne’s not sure about the tree lawn getting excavated. The soil is from SW Park: tub grindings, stump
grindings, leaf mold, top 8 inches purchased topsoil.
Suggestions: Skymaster oak is nice, and hickories, Carya ovata, also Liriodendron Emerald City,
Moraine sweetgum, Magnolia acuminata, Sorbus alnifolia.
Suggestions for Court St: yellowwoods as long as grown well, male osage orange ‘Whiteshield’ is very
upright, Parrotia persica “Vanessa”, Aesculus carnea briotti, Acer miyabei , Pawpaw, Heptacodium. Nina will
come up with some suggestions and send them around.
The Committee looked at Project Review Criteria for Site Plan Review and had these observations:
Barb re #1 preservation, she will write up about mapping what’s there, what will be lost on adjacent
property, critical root zone.
Jeanne re season of planting, notes that C of O is given and trees are planted in the wrong season
(and without adequate water , die). Suggests a retainer to be paid by the developer who would get back part
at time of planting and rest a year later, if plants all still alive. Re planting d), says street trees must be alive 2
years after planting and approval.
Nina asks that committee members send their comments to her, and she will then amend the criteria with our
suggestions and send around .
Minutes respectfully submitted by Debra Statton Next meeting Wed Sept 24 4pm Coop Ext