DRAFT MINUTES
1651 FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
6/24/2010
Members present: Loretta Neilsen, Jeff Putnam, David Hoerle, Sue Haley, Rosalyn Kaplan
Staff present: Mike O’Conner
Meeting was brought to order at 7:05. Minutes from 2/25/2010 were moved by Ms. Neilsen and seconded Mr. Putnam.
Ms. Neilsen mentioned that encroaching vines have been trimmed away from most of the plantings and that some suckers and mulching has also been completed. The Horsely and Whitten report suggests that these minor maintenance efforts take place to improve conditions for the growing plants.
The elms which struggled last year are doing well this year. Perhaps the better growing conditions this spring have allowed for this improvement.
American Chestnuts continue to be a species of interest for planting and should continue to be examined for their potential. Ms. Haley will talk with Dennis Murley for some advice on this matter.
Mr. O’Conner noted that he needs to be added to the email list and has not received recent notices.
Winterberry was brought up as a good shrub to be included in the planting schedule soon. The Friends of 1651 Arboretum planted 15 inkberries this spring. In the fall they plan to plant 15 sheep laurel and 10 mockernut hickories. There seemed to be some confusion on how many shrubs have been planted of various species. The planting plan needs to be revisited and updated. Mr. Putnam will bring the most recent version to the next meeting. Ms. Neilsen will also bring her hand recorded data of plantings so that the two can be correlated.
Ms. Haley will check with town staff on the status of appointments to the committee and also on the whether there is a conflict of interest with the Open Space Committee member also being a board member of the Friends.
The next meeting is set for Thursday, September 23rd at 7 PM.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Neilsen and seconded by Mr. Putnam.
Respectfully submitted by,
Suzanne Haley
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