The Glenmore Woods Homeowners Association held the Homeowners meeting on May 23, 2007 at the Rondout School cafeteria from 7:00pm until 8:30pm. Board members in attendance at the meeting included John Lucas, Paul Herring David Coughlin and Joe Sturonas. Sarah McMaster was also in attendance.
Attending:
All board members:
Herring
Coughlin
Lucas
Sturonas
Sarah McMaster (McMaster Drake)
5 residents
Guests
Bernard Wysocki
Dave Story
1. Bernard Wysocki, Mayor of Green Oaks
Guest Speaker
- Status on the acceleration lane
Mr. Wysocki said that construction on the new east bound acceleration lane from Ashford Drive onto Rockland road will begin the first week in June. The acceleration lane will extend all the way to Waukegan road. The acceleration lane will allow residents of Glenmore Woods to enter onto eastbound Rt. 176 without the danger of interfering with traffic already up to speed on eastbound Rt. 176.
Status of Rt. 176 Road Work
Construction will continue for the rest of the year with the on and off ramps on Rt. 176 and Rt.41.
Other News from the Village of Green Oaks
Tollway construction has begun on 2 years worth of work by adding an additional lane North and South from O’Hare Airport to Grand Ave. They will also be lowering the bridge at Rt. 176 approximately six feet. The Village of Green Oaks is trying to get sound walls approved along the Tollway to reduce the amount of noise emanating from the Tollway.
There are currently no plans in place for the space across from Lambs Farm at Rt. 176. and the Tollway. Ideally they would like to see upscale retail going in.
Green Oaks is in discussions with Metra about the possibility of a commuter rail superstation in unincorporated Rondout that would provide access to several commuter rail lines.
2. Dave Story – Bartlett Tree Experts
Guest Speaker. Dave Story did a walk of the property with a number of the board members several weeks prior to the meeting and provided the board with quotes for Tree Diagnostics and Buckthorn Removal. Bartlett Tree Experts is a tree care firm with 100 years in business. They do everything to do with tree management and tree maintenance. They focus on forestry management not landscape management.
- Discuss approach to tree diagnostics
Dave was asked provide a quote to diagnose the trees in the common area for safety. The board would like to provide a plan that focuses on 3 priorities for the trees in the common areas, 1. personal safety, 2. preservation, 3. aesthetics. The quote includes inspection of the edges in the area of the common properties, looking for root damage, limb damage and disease. The quote includes assembling a list of issues with the trees, establish a budget and prioritize the trees that are in the most danger. According to Bartlett Tree Experts, the biggest danger is typically root and soil failure.
- Discuss approach to buck thorn removal
The quote for buckthorn removal involves pushing back the edge of the buckthorn for 6 feet on either side of Ashford Drive. This would allow the residents of Glenmore Woods to see what our subdivision would look like eradicated from buckthorn.
Proposal is for the bare minimum allowing us to push back 6 feet and will give a sampling of the depth that we will be able to experience if we clear all of the buckthorn.
Dave explained that there are years and years of seed bank of buckthorn on the ground. After the buckthorn is cleared and the seed bank is exposed to the sun, then more buckthorn will grow. It will require some regular maintenance that might include a herbicide spray. After the buckthorn is removed, it is also proposed to grind the stumps to prevent sprouting of buckthorn from the stumps. They can be treated chemically, but that will require regular applications. By grinding the stumps, they will not be able to sprout. There are also some honeysuckle and other junk woods which would be removed as part of this exercise.
The problem with buckthorn is that it can also hinder the natural forestation. New trees are not allowed to grow because they can’t get any sunlight due to the buckthorn starving the saplings.
The problem with buckthorn is that it is invasive and aggressive. Burning as a remediation for buckthorn not only removes the buckthorn but could also possibly eradicate the seed bank. This is something that may be considered in the future.
Dave estimated it would take about a week for his company to complete their proposed analysis and buckthorn removal.
Frank requested that we put on the website the common areas that are owned by Glenmore Woods, as these areas might not be known to all residents. (Joe to follow up)
John pointed out that it might be possible to arrange something with Bartlett so that all homeowners could sign up and take advantage of a curbside removal of buckthorn. It would take about a week to remove the buckthorn.
3. Landscape proposals
- Buckthorn Removal
Discuss the proposals from vendors for buckthorn removal.
There were 3 quotes for the buckthorn removal. Mariani, Clifford and Bartlett. Both Mariani and Clifford’s proposal involved painting the stubs instead of grinding the stubs. Clifford has not responded to any of our calls, so they have gone silent. Clifford was contracted to remove the buckthorn out of pond 1 which they did last year. All estimates are roughly the same cost.
The board proposed that Bartlett Tree Experts be awarded the buckthorn removal.
- Mulch for common areas
Mariani has submitted a proposal again this year for mulch in the common areas.
- Reseed grass in thin areas
Mariani has submitted a proposal to reseed grass in thin common areas.
- Viburnum Plants
Mariani has submitted a proposal to plant Viburnum plants.
Because we don’t know where and how many Viburnum plants would be planted, the board rejected the proposal for Viburnum plants until more information can be obtained.
John Lucas proposed a motion to move ahead with the following:
- Buckthorn removal on six feet on either side of Ashford drive in the common areas by Bartlett Tree Experts
- Inspect all common areas near homes to visually assess trees within range of private yard areas for potential root, stem, and limb failure. Individual trees identified as hazardous will be recommended for specific remedial treatments including pruning, cabling, or removal. Individual trees identified as potentially hazardous will be recommended for additional climbing inspection or structural inspection. A report will be provided with tree tag numbers, and general location by Bartlett Tree Experts
- Mulch in common areas by Mariani.
- Reseed grass in thin common areas by Mariani
David Coughlin seconded the motion, unanimously approved.
4. Update on burn in Pond 1
Buckthorn was removed by Clifford and the pond dried up like it was supposed to. It was a problem for many residents around pond 1. Clifford has not responded to any of our calls with respect to the burn scheduled for pond 1. We did not pay Clifford for the burn. We are putting a hold on the burn of pond 1 for the time being.
5. Mariani Status
- Core Aeration
Because Mariani never performed core aeration last fall, they provide us with a credit.
- Bed Edging
Bed edging is currently 50% complete. Mariani has completed edging the common areas and are now starting the lots. Pruning has begun, but summer pruning has yet to start.
- Seed and Weed Applications
Mariani application for weed control was not applied correctly. We have more dandelions than we have normally had. Sarah to follow up with Mariani.
6. Open Forum
When Mariani is trimming the shrubs next to the house, they should include trim between the shrub and the house, not just the top and front. Sarah to follow up with Mariani.
There is a concern about non-residents parking next to the asphalt path leading to the forest preserve trail. We should contact the Village of Green Oaks about getting no parking signs next to the asphalt path and front entrance. When cars are parked there and by the front entrance, it creates an unsafe situation for cars and delivery trucks to maneuver around the parked cars. Joe will investigate.
A question was raised about the emergency back entrance to Glenmore Woods. If the front entrance was ever blocked, is there an emergency back entrance to the subdivision since the construction of the Savannah path. Joe will investigate.
An inquiry was made as to whether we could put the tentative schedule that Mariani has for Landscaping on the website. Sarah to provide to Joe to post on the website.