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Chimney Hill Owners Association
Landscape Committee Meeting
Saturday, May 15, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The Committee met at the Chimney Hill Clubhouse. Jane Cary, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. The following Committee members attended: Elaine Ahnell, Carlotta Gladding, Diana Gould, Keith Herbert, Pam Massey, and Carol Sewall.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of August 3, 2020 were approved by e-mail in the fall of 2020.
CURRENT BUSINESS
- Pond Loop: Jane, Carlotta, Diana, and Pam met on Saturday, April 24, at Carlotta’s request, to assess the directional kiosk and recreation area at Pond Loop, and further, to discuss the overgrown trees and shrubs behind the Chimney Hill entrance sign. As a result, Maintenance has been asked to build a short flower bed for the Pond Loop kiosk, add something decorative or informative to the blank panel at the front of the kiosk, remove logs and brush from the recreational area, refinish benches and picnic tables, repair the electrical box, and add a new picnic table. We note that Maintenance has a heavy workload currently so cannot determine when the work will be finished, though at this writing, some has begun.
- Chimney Hill Entrance: At the CH entrance garden, too many evergreens were planted early on and they now need to be thinned out. Keith Herbert will trim the overgrown trees and prune away dead branches. After the viburnum blooms, Keith will top it off, as it has grown too tall. The lilac will be moved to a location where it can enjoy more light. The decorative lights, some of which are malfunctioning, will be removed and/or rearranged. The big chair is in disrepair and will no longer be on display in the summer months.
- Fall (2020) Planting of Kiosks:Elaine feels that the chrysanthemums were planted too late in the season last fall and did not present the display we hoped for due to frost damage. She suggests that we target September 20, 2021 for planting mums in the kiosks.
- Spring Plants for Kiosks:One kiosk needs a new caretaker. Kathleen Comeau will now tend the kiosk at Binney Brook and Howe’s Loop.
In previous years, we have identified the plants needed for each kiosk and shopped together for them at Rashed’s. Jane proposed an alternative, which will be more efficient in the long run and require no assistance from Maintenance. Each kiosk will have a budget of $56 plus tax to purchase plants. Caretakers will shop for the plants they deem appropriate for their kiosks. Faith will provide expense forms at the Office, which the caretakers will fill out and submit, with receipts, for reimbursement. The kiosks should be planted in advance of the Memorial Day weekend. Committee members thought this new flower-purchasing scheme was a good idea.
Elaine advised us of a new and effective deer repellant product called “Repel.” It is available at Equinox Nursery in Manchester.
Gary, of the Maintenance Department, offered to provide topsoil with manure for the kiosks.
5. Green Up VT, May 1: Jane reported that there were participants from Chimney Hill and the project went quite well.
Fran and Bob Flynn, residents of Spruce Grove, asked for the Committee’s approval for two landscaping projects: 1) to plant hydrangeas on their property, and 2) to add arborvitae to their own property and to CH common land adjoining their property, which was cleared to install water and electric access for their new house. No approval is needed for them to plant the hydrangeas on their own property. However, even though planting arborvitae on the common land will be an improvement, the matter must be brought to the CH Board for review. Concerns were expressed about arborvitae as a choice as deer like to eat them.
The Deerfield Valley Rotary’s Garden and Live Music Tour will take place on July 17, 2021.
MEMBER CONCERNS
The issue of “sign pollution,” which was addressed at the meeting of September 21, 2019, was raised again. Elaine suggested that the sign at the intersection of Haystack and Chimney Hill Roads concerning the safety of wildlife be moved further up Chimney Hill Road and away from the four other signs in that area. Thus, the sign would have more impact and be less distracting to drivers who might try to read all signs as they pass by.
ADJOURNMENT: 10:48 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pam Massey
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Chimney Hill Clubhouse
9:30 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
Review minutes from the meeting of Saturday, May 15, 2021
CURRENT BUSINESS
- Pond Loop update
- Chimney Hill entrance garden update
- Review spring planting of kiosks.How did the new procedure work?Did we come in on or under budget?Please send photos
- Progress toward re-locating signage at the intersection of Haystack and Chimney Hill roads
- Identify kiosks that need repairs
- Form work parties to weed Office and Clubhouse gardens
- Recruit new members to Committee
- Shall we plan a gardening lecture for CH residents?On a Saturday a.m. in July?
MEMBER CONCERNS
Objective of the CHOA Landscape Committee, 2010
(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
Activities of Interest
Rotary Club of Deerfield Valley Garden Tour
July 17, 2021 Noon - 4 PM
The Deerfield Valley Rotary Club is holding its 2nd Annual Garden and Live Music Tour on 7/17 from 12-4 pm, rain or shine. It is a self-guided tour where you can visit beautiful gardens in the Deerfield Valley in any order you would like, and see live musicians perform! Visit some or all at your own pace. Tickets are a $30 donation, and can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deerfield-valley-rotary-garden-and-live-music-tour-tickets-160212908121 or at the Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington. There will be a limited number of tickets sold, so get your tickets while supplies last! This event sold out in advance of the date last year! New this year is a raffle for Ann Coleman’s signed, framed print of “Delphiniums and Lilies”. Tickets are $5 each. We thank the homeowners and musicians (Jill Sachs, Logan Boyd, Kevin Parry, Paul Fisher, Sky Alan, Peter Miles, Bongobilly, Trumpet Andy, Alex Hutchinson, Chris Mays, Jaqueline DeVoe and Logan Haley) who have donated their time and treasures, and we thank our sponsors too: Deerfield Valley Real Estate, Snow Republic Brewing Company, Fisher and Fisher Law and Black Diamond Tree Service. Snow Republic Brewing Company, Maple Leaf Tavern, Jezebels Eatery, Anchor Seafood Restaurant and Deerfield Bar and Bottle will be offering specials to ticket holders too on 7/17. The Deerfield Valley Rotary raises money to then donate to the local community where it is needed, so you can enjoy a great afternoon while giving back to the local community at the same time!