MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Meeting Held Through Email Due to Coronavirus Restrictions

Attendees:

Gabrielle Oldham Dori Murphy

Ron Anderson Kathie Jarmon

Michael Morgan Tom Frederick

John Bennett

Treasurer’s Report:

The board discussed availale funds, and decided to transfer $600 into checking account for 2020 expenses.

Update on Big Tree Program:

John reported:

Last month I reported that a staff member at West Nottingham Academy nominated what she thought was a black poplar. It would have been a new State champion if the ID could be confirmed. Photos were sent to Jim Bardsley; he thinks it more likely a white poplar, populous alba. MD has two trees already registered; both in Montgomery County. White poplar is considered an invasive species. Years ago Dori pointed out what appear to be several large examples at the medical office property in North East at the corner of Cemetery Road and E. Cecil Avenue. I never followed up by attempting to get permission. Anyway, I’ll make arrangements when it’s safe to get this one measured and it will be the new county champion.

Lowell Haines called me to report that his group will be contacting the group of arborists from last time to do some dead wood pruning of the Brick Meetinghouse white oak.

Very sad news from Calvert County; the #2 white oak in Maryland (399 points) has died. The owner called me; the tree dropped its leaves in August last year during the drought, and did not leaf out this year. The owner is a widower in her 70’s who cannot afford to have the tree removed. I wrote to members of the Calvert County Forestry Board asking that they reach out in their community for some pro bono work at least to remove the branches so no one gets injured. Dawn Balinski wrote back they will try to get some help for her, but I have heard nothing in the past several weeks.

Joli McCathran nominated Jim Sherring to serve on the MBTP Committee. Jim is the Chair of the Harford County Forestry Board. Committee members voted unanimously to accept Jim as a member.

Joli also reports that she doesn’t think the new web site will be ready until November at the earliest.

Anne Gilbert is looking for someone to write policy statements on how to measure crown spread and height. Anne has put together a collection of big tree policy statements.

Natural Resources Career Conference (NRCC) Update:

No update from last month because of cancellation due to Covid-19.

Website Update:

Ron reported that he:

Added May Meeting Minutes

Changed Current Agenda to June

Added 2019 Activity Report

And needs to:

Check links to outside URL locations

Verify county BigTree champions with MBTP website data

New Business:

Everyone reported that Ethics Forms were completed. Thank you!

Tom reported that the latest tentative budget information he has is that FY 2020 (ends June 30th) should be ok, even though we did not make our Special Fund targets.  Special funds are funds that we "earn" through harvests, range fees, stewardship services, etc.. FY 2021 tentative guidance is that there will be at least a 10% cut in General Funds.  General Funds are tax dollars that we receive. Apparently the Forest Service has about 3 million in these funds. Mostly salaries.  However it is thought we can absorb this cut at this point.  But everything is subject to change. 

Next Meeting: July 1, 2020