HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10 - Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes Feb 10, 2009 Environmental Board Minutes Draftl
VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK
ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
VILLAGE HALL,938 KING STREET
Tuesday February 10, 2009 - 8:00 p.m.
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DRAFT MINUTES OF THE FEB. 10, 2009 meeting of the Environmental Council
Village of Rye Brook
Advisory Council on Environmental Conservation
February 10, 2009 Meeting
A special meeting of the Council was held on Feb, 10, 2009 at 8:00 PM at the Village offices with
Harvey M. Schiller, Chair, presiding.
As it is our custom to rotate the position of our Meeting Secretary, Council member Vieth-Heib
was appointed Meeting Secretary for this meeting. Present were Council Members: Bacchioni,
Porto, Schiller, Veith-Heib, Heller and Raphael. Joel Simon was excused due to his business
commitment.
Junior Civil Engineer Michal Nowak was present as our Village liaison representative.
Village Trustee Michael Brown, our Council Liaison, attending a Village Board of Trustee, made
time to also attend our meeting and provide legal opinions to our questions.
Purpose of the meeting was a Public Hearing on the Request for a Permit to Remove a
"Significant Tree"a 38" DBH Oak tree at J. Wolf property, 33 Hillandale Rd. Village Code 235-21
requires the Approval of BOTH the Village authority AND the Advisory Council on Environmental
Conservation.
The Chair requested Jr. Civil Engineer, Michal Nowak, to present the reasons for the Removal
Request. His lengthy report, explained that he personally inspected the tree and stated his many
reasons for recommending removal, including recommendation for removal sustained by
2 arborist companies: Bartlett Tree Experts provided a memo on behalf of the Homeowner and
Central Tree Service was consulted by Michal Nowak and provided verbal feedback. Mr. Nowak
further consulted with our Village Planning Consultant, Marilyn Mohammed who is a Licensed
Landscape Architect, sending her the same photos and reports that he presented to our Council.
She concluded that"These mushrooms do not kill the tree, their presence only indicates that the
tree is already compromised." Mark Kneller, consultant from the UK provided email analysis and
report recommending tree is susceptible to wind throw and determined the fungus as being a
severe decay fungi. Finally a News paper Article from The Journal News dated (2-8-09) labeled Is
Tree fungus a problem?was emailed to the board for review.
At that point the Chair asked for a discussion from our Council to determine the Council's opinion.
The floor was turned over to our professional in this field, Council member Veit-Heib, who is a
Certified Landscape Designer and Organic Lawn Care Certified. She had done an intensive on-
site examination of the tree, including a microscopic examination of the Fungus, and presented
the Council with actual samples of the questionable species. (There are over 400 species) She
also sent samples to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester for identification to determine
if this type of fungus attacks Oak trees. It was her professional opinion, that this tree should be
saved by proper professional care, and had many years of life ahead. Her opinion was also
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Feb 10, 2009 Environmental Board Minutes Draftl
based on the fact that it was not an immediate Hazard to any structure, and ecological
contributing to the present environment. She also recommended that the tree be watched for the
2009 thru 2010 growing season as it will help determine the amount of decay and disease
Council member Heller, well known for his experience, also claimed that the tree could
and should be saved, Mr. Heller stated that removal should be postponed and the matter
adjourned at least until spring so that the trees health can be evaluated by the amount of crown
growth.
Member Veith-Heib requested additional tests be performed such as a resistograph, hazard tree
analysis and further root decay analysis.
Each of the Council members agreed that the I.D. of the fungus should be determined and
that we should adjourn the meeting and the decision to remove said tree until a later meeting in
May after the tree has leafed out.
Our Village Jr. Engineer Nowak, was requested to make another root and tree evaluation
inspection with additional tests in May, with a new report to our Council.
A MOTION:was made by Raphael, and seconded by Schiller to adjourn the matter until a later
meeting in May after the tree has leafed out, and make a determination at that time. The following
was requested as part of the morion: perform a resistograph, hazard tree analysis and further root
decay analysis.
VOTE: Schiller yes; Porto yes; Viet-Heib yes; Bacchioni yes; Raphael yes: Heller yes
The next item on our agenda: Approval of the Minutes of two previous meetings.
The Minutes of the June 17, 2008 and October 21, 2008 were both approved as presented. Each
were separately presented by
MOTIONS: by Porto and seconded by Schiller.
VOTE: on each: Schiller yes; Porto yes; Viet-Heib yes; Bacchioni yes; Raphael yes: Heller yes
The Chair thanked both Jr Engineer Nowak and Council member Veith-Heib for an outstandingly
complete presentation of their diverse views and the amount of time they devoted to it.
The meeting was adjoined at 8:45 PM.
The next meeting will be scheduled when requested by the Village.
Minutes submitted by Margaret Veit-Heib , Meeting secretary
Minutes approved by Harvey Schiller, Chair
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