ARBOR COMMISSION
1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 5th, 2026, 8:15-10:15 am
City Hall Auditorium
AGENDA
- Call to Order
- Adoption of Minutes of September 14, 2026
- Financial Matters
- Current Arbor Commission Account Balance (#10-515-51030)
- Projected Arbor Commission Account Expenses through June 2027
- Arbor Commission Allocation request for 2028
- Grant management and applications:
–Project Canopy 2025–project completed, report & reimbursement claim to be submitted immediately
–IRA Grant–$140,775 out of $173,000 remaining to be expended prior to August 31, 2027
–Project Canopy 2026 application due October 30.
- Invoice to Ellsworth Garden Club for fall tree planting–$800
- Scheduling Review of Trees/Parks/Green Spaces allocations for 2027 & proposed for 2028
- Project Management Team Report
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- October Plantings (Ehrlenbach, Otzwirk, White)
–Ordering and delivery of trees, shrubs, loam, stakes & other materials
–Crew & equipment secured; safety gear
–Press releases, blog, social media, television and radio; notice to previous volunteers
–Water Street Housing Developments: date(s), signs, permissions and public engagement
–Harbor Park: dates, signs, DEP/City permits, public engagement
–Historical Society plantings: date, signs, EHS engagement
–Financial/in-kind accounting process
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- Tree Nursery (Otzwirk)
–Pre-winter work: pump removal, tilling, fence mending, other
–Tool shed
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- Tree Inventory (Otzwirk)
- Simmons Pond–Recommendation for transfer to Open Space with public access; Conservation
Easement; implications for Forestry Management Plan (Davis, Schuver)
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- Branch Lake Public Forest–work day & sample understory surveys
- Personnel and volunteers for 2027 (Blackstone)
–Community Tree Steward application to MCC completed and approved by R. Ehrlenbach and submitted for Oct 2 deadline
–successful career fair participation by M. Blackstone, T. Davis, M. Otzwirk (presenter) and A. Chausse (presenter); 3 applications received for Urban Forestry intern/assistant;
funding to be secured through 2026 Project Canopy application or IRA grant
–M. Otzwirk, Project Manager, IRA grant through June 30, 2027; City funding July 1 onwards depending on approved budget
- Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan (Blackstone)
- Action re Branch Lake Public Forest Management Plan data
- Progress on completion of chapter on large forested properties–input from S. MacDonald and A. Schuver
- Special Meeting for review of full plan–January 2027
- Tree Trust Committee (Drummond)
- Status of 501(3)c application
- Next steps and timelines: Meeting, recruitment, website, etc.
- Election of Arbor Commission Chair
- Other Reports and Comments
- From City Council Representative: T. White
- Staff: R. Ehrlenbach, other
- Community Tree Steward: M. Otzwirk–EEMS Orchard, other
- Citizens & other guests
- Next meeting: November 2nd, 8:15-10:15 am
- Adjournment