Landscape Committee

Landscape Committee Meeting

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Chimney Hill Owners Association

CALL TO ORDER

The Committee met at the Chimney Hill Clubhouse. Carol Sewall, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m. The following Committee members attended: Barbara Silver, Patty Small, Laura Powers, Carlotta Gladding, Tanya Sparano, Roseann Adams, Kathleen Comeau, Beth Nanis, and Sharron Heberlein. Committee members Diana Gould and Pam Massey attended virtually. Additional attendees invited by Carol were Carol Bois and Cheryl Beil from the Lake Raponda Association.

MINUTES

The minutes from the June 1, 2024, were approved with the change that Pam Massey attended not Diana Gould.

CURRENT BUSINESS

Some of the kiosks have been stained and members agreed that they look very nice. The moo doo seems to have really helped the plantings and the begonias, which were late to bloom, are all now beautiful!

Laura updated the members that her plot in the Community Garden cannot have anyone there but her and one other. She cannot be responsible for others to be there. She is currently cleaning out and then will plant pumpkin seeds. She and Carol may have some plants that could be planted as it is too late for seeds to be ready for the fall. The Committee decided to table the Pumpkin Patch Garden till next year.

It was decided that fall will be the best time to clean out the CHOA gardens. Roseann has tried to clean out some at the flag pole and found an invasive plant whose roots are taking over. Discussions came up including input from Carol Bois and Cheryl Beil on native plants as some members had attended the recent Native Plantings program at Memorial Hall. There was interest in starting to introduce native plantings to the CHOA gardens. Roseann mentioned Clearbrook Nursery which has native plants available in the spring. Carlotta brought up that there is a place on Rt. 112 heading to Greenfield that has a sign for native plants. Laura thought it best we stay with local sources vs reaching out to the Audubon etc. She will also try to get the name of the man who was recently in the area who is informative on bee pollination.

The Sip & Dig is planned for Tuesday, August 6, with gardens to visit at this point being Carol, Elaine, Roseann, Kathleen and Barbara.

Guest speaker ideas were discussed again. Carlotta said Rich Watkins is waiting on dates and Carol said October would be a good month. Ben Kilham from the Kilham Bear Center in New Hampshire is asking if it would be a small or big group and what would the donation be as he would be traveling four hours round trip plus the time for the presentation. It’s possible he would be too costly. Tanya has had interactions with Protect Our Wildlife Vermont. They may be a good resource for providing information on living with wildlife among other topics.

Karen Rose from Monty’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Shaftsbury would be willing to do a talk with regard to wildlife and have some focus on the dangers of poisons used by homeowners (mice) that affect the wildlife. It was mentioned to Laura to consider including in the weekly e-blast the dangers of poisons.

Carlotta offered assistance in using Memorial Hall if the Committee wants to arrange to offer any of these programs to a bigger group.

MEMBER CONCERNS

Tanya told members that there is a memorial garden up at the Lookout that doesn’t appear to be maintained. Would we be allowed to maintain it and add to it when we clean out other CHOA gardens? We would need to check with James and Dean.

Barbara has trails by her home near the brook that have trees down. James had told her they are not on CHOA property. Tanya said some of that is homeowner land donated to the Vast Trail System so it will be cleaned up and some of it is actually on CHOA property. Carol Bois brought up that Friends of the Trails really needs volunteers. Information can be found on the Town of Wilmington website or email her at Cbois911@yahoo.com. Because Carol Bois and Cheryl Beil are on the Lake Raponda Environmental Committee they have information on numerous subjects that would be of interest to maintaining an environment that was kind to area wildlife and plants. They mentioned the Nasami Farm in Framingham, MA, which grows and sells native plants and possibly our Committee would be interested in a field trip there with them. They referred the Committee to the Raponda website (Raponda.org) where they have information on native plants, wildlife (loons), trails, etc. Members were interested in the future sharing of ideas and information between the two groups.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Sip & Dig

ADJOURNMENT was at 10:41

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Comeau

(updated 2018)
Our objective is to ensure that the public areas of the Chimney Hill community are
carefully maintained and, as necessary and feasible, enhanced by shrubs, trees, and
colorful plantings, pleasant to the eye, and an invaluable contribution toward the
increase in property values.
In order to meet this objective, we must:
1) Meet regularly to discuss and address Committee members’ and CHOA members’
specific concerns;
2) Oversee the work of the contracted CHOA Gardener and provide input; assist the
Gardener when feasible to save on costs;
3) Provide education to the Chimney Hill community on
a) How to plant and maintain attractive properties;
b) Appreciation of the wildlife and vegetation on our lands by presenting workshops and nature-oriented events;
c) Update our website with pertinent articles and reference works; contribute comments and advice to the e-newsletter

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