Arbor Commission Meeting Notice and Agenda for Monday, March 2, 2026

ARBOR COMMISSION

1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 2nd, 2026, 8:15-10:15 am
City Hall Auditorium
AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Minutes of February 2, 2026
3. Staff Comments
   • Danielle Gift
   • Michael Otzwirk
   • Caleb Pelletier
4. Report from City Council (Tabatha White)
5. Citizen Comments
6. Financial accounting (send reimbursement requests to Danielle or Roddy)
   • Project Canopy – expense number: 242; IRA – expense number: 243
   • Arbor Commission Account – expense number: 10-515-51030
   • Start discussing budget in October 2026
7. Arbor Commission Membership – Austin Schuver
8. Project Management Team
   • IRA Grant
     • Harbor Park/Straw Way planting project schedule
       • Designate planting locations – August 2026
       • Outreach in September 2026
       • Planting end of October 2026 (6 days of planting)
     • Tree procurement (apple, evergreen for Franklin Parklet and then plant in the fall)
     • Staff education
     • Volunteer cultivation/education
   • Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan – review parts A&B for March
   • Tree Trust
     • Attorney to file for corporate status and 501(c)3 status
     • Create Tree Trust website
     • Close tree fund fund through the city (reserve account)
   • Branch Lake Public Forest Management Plan (David will finalize, need to figure out cost)
9. Member Comments/Other business
   • Work in Tree Nursery (pruning, fence repair, tree donuts for planted trees?)
   • UMO internships (Alan Chausee) – starting in May
   • Future Project Canopy Grant – submitted (for future, disease management: Ash, Beech, Fir)
   • Proposed Ordinance Changes (Chapter 56, Tree Ordinance)
   • How to address requests (for tree planting, tree maintenance/removal)
     • Ellsworth Historical Society request for 2 trees on Chamberlain House lawn
     • End of Church St at Bayview Ave
     • (This is part of Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan)
   • HCTC – tool shed
   • Community Events
     • March 4th Moore Center talk about EAB/pests (cost of doing nothing)
     • Arbor Day Event in April – Ash Tree panel – cultural aspects
   • GIS mapping
   • Simmons Pond – request for logging – Elliott Jordan will send a proposal
10. Next meeting: April 6th, 8:15-10:15 am
11. Adjournment