Palmer Arboretum
Palmer Arboretum Minutes
August 13,2020
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm
Attendance: Philippa Paquette, Chad Hart, Jessie White, Andy Krofina, Jean Rocheleau Absent excused: Nancy Adams
Jessie was introduced and welcomed on to the Committee.
Treasurer’s report was deferred until Jean joined the Zoom meeting.
Philippa reported on the $1,500 donation made to the Historic Society to help cover the cost of the new driveway and parking lot. The money came from the Friends Fund and all committee members endorsed sharing the expense for this project. There is a hope that in future there will be increased cooperation between the two groups.
Jean joined the Zoom meeting and gave the Treasurer’s Report. The Town gave $6,000 in the 2020 budget and $760 has been spent on mowing and weeding by Mitch in July. Friends Fund has $2,554.43 but $1,500 has been pledged to the Historical Society. Last year this Fund had covered the costs of new tools and supplies. It had also paid for Bartlett’s Tree services, the materials used on the bank, plant ID’s in the Hosta bed and had been needed to cover Mitch’s previous bill for mowing.
Current Balances: Regular Budget: $5,240 Friends Fund: $1,054.43
The Committee discussed the need to limit and carefully monitor expenditures this year in order to stay within the budget. Mitch is the regular expense and it is important that he is aware of the budgetary constraints and his hours and tasks are agreed upon ahead of time.
Future Tasks: Storm clearance of twigs and branches…Philippa, Jessie and Andy will work on this on Saturday 8/15 from 7-9 am.
Weeding: Work Day will be planned for August 29 , 9-11. Andy will contact Linda to invite Garden Club members to participate.
Totem pole tree trunk: Chad will remove this.
Planting the bank between the Arboretum and Jessie’s property: The Committee discussed the options and stressed the need to defer to Jessie’s wishes. She wants to maintain a clear view into the Arboretum but is open to suggestions about low maintenance planting. Grasses and day lilies were mentioned as possible options. This item will be revisited at the next meeting.
Mowing: The grass is not growing because of the hot, dry weather so it will be recommended to Mitch that he mows biweekly rather than weekly. He will also be asked to hold off on weeding and weed wacking until after the work day on August 29.
Arboretum sign: Philippa will contact Bill to discuss the status of the sign.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50
The recording of this meeting can be found here