Arbor Commission Meeting Notice and Agenda for Monday, May 4, 2026

ARBOR COMMISSION

1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 4th, 2026, 8:15-10:15 am
City Hall Auditorium

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Minutes of April 6, 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. Goals for Tree Protection
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 – July outdoor lunch and learn
     • Volunteer cultivation/education – pruning workshop, mulching workshop
   • 2025 Project Canopy Grant ($20K)
     • Summer intern (Alan Chausee) – seasonal employee, funded via Arbor budget
     • Branch Lake Public Forest work – coordinate with David Wardrop
   • Comprehensive Forestry Management Plan
     • EAB Treatment/management
   • 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 – review and sign off
9. Member Comments/Other business
   • Submissions for reappointment (each commission must submit recommendations for reappointment annually – June)
   • Work in Tree Nursery (pruning, fence repair, tree donuts for planted trees, funded by IRA)
   • 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
     • 2nd grade planting, May 19th (ish)
     • Arbor Day Event, April 22 – Ash Tree panel – cultural aspects
   • GIS mapping
   • Simmons Pond – forest management plan/possibility of logging (Wood Wise funding?)
10. Next meeting: June 1st, 8:15-10:15 am
11. Adjournment