Arbor Commission Meeting Notice and Agenda for Monday, June 1, 2026

ARBOR COMMISSION
1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 1st, 2026, 8:15-10:15 am
City Hall Auditorium

1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Minutes of May 4th, 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)
   • Arbor Commission Account – expense number: 10-515-51030
   • Start discussing budget in October 2026
7. 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)
     • Trees to Franklin Parklet, then plant (evergreen, apple)
     • Staff education – July outdoor lunch and learn (education about EAB?)
     • Volunteer cultivation/education – pruning workshop, mulching workshop
   • 2025 Project Canopy Grant ($20K)
     • Summer intern (Alan Chausee) – seasonal employee, $400 fringe funded via Arbor budget
     • Branch Lake Public Forest work – (David Wardrop supervising Alan and make a work plan? Using citizen scientists to help with inventory?  Steve to spend a couple of days with Alan)
   • Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan
     • Review of sections – Invasive pest management section
     • Discussion of goals:
       • Inventory
       • Maintenance
       • EAB Treatment/management options (EAB University)
     • Branch Lake Public Forest Management Plan
   • 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)

8. Member Comments/Other business
   • Tree work permit review
   • Work in Tree Nursery (pruning, fence repair, tree donuts for planted trees, funded by IRA) – Alan’s first weeks, 2nd grade planting, May 23rd clean up day
   • Future Project Canopy Grant (2026) – (for future, disease management, complete tree inventory)
   • Proposed Ordinance Changes (Chapter 56, Tree Ordinance) – awaiting “phase 2″
   • HCTC – tool shed
   • Community Events
   • Simmons Pond – forest management plan (Woods Wise funding?)
9. Next meeting: July 6th, 8:15-10:15 am
10. Adjournment