Another HOT Landscape Committee Meeting

Members of the Landscape Committee welcomed our newest member, Leann Winkel, at its August 17 meeting. She lives on the cul de sac on Glendurgan and brings that area's perspective to our activities. Patti Amador gave an update on the items which have already been accomplished in such a short time by the committee.

The committee agreed to try combined meetings with the Garden Committee, since many of the members are the same. The meetings will be on the third Tuesday of each month. September 21 is the next meeting that will be held at Patti's house at 7:00 p.m.

The committee discussed the list of projects that need to be done and scheduled "Landscape Workdays" on Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on August 28 and September 11. An additional tentative workday was scheduled later for October 2. A list was provided to the committee of useful equipment for the workday. An e-mail will be sent to other EMPOA residents who have also expressed interest in lending some "elbow grease" to our projects.

Patti reported on the cost of the mulch needed to apply on the spruce trees on McCue Rd. Menard's had a sale, which ended on August 8. Patti said she would ask the Manager of Contracting Sales if he would extend that sale date for our purchase. If not, it was decided to wait until it went on sale again.

Tom Arthur told the committee that MSU and LCC both were interested in working on our project. MSU has already contacted a professor who would like to participate with us as a class project. LCC's representative is enthusiastic also and Tom will see if she is available for our September 21 meeting. Even if both colleges want to work with us, the activities could be divided up by common areas and, if they agree, both could be involved. Paul Pirrotta mentioned that MSU's program focus is for management's involvement. LCC's has more of a "community" approach and staff and students are not afraid to "get down and dirty" with their direct methods.

Paul said that the geese population has temporarily increased because of the upcoming migration. In the spring, we can contact the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) to see if they will help us do a "goose roundup" to remove geese before they reproduce. When babies are born in a certain area, they always return to that area.

Patti reviewed the expenditures that have been made so far. She estimated the cost of the mulch for the trees should be within the budget. Patti encouraged committee members to view the photos of English Meadows online. Tom Arthur set up a link on the blog that will go to the pictures.

Resources for pruning trees and bushes were shared with the committee, including an on-line demonstration (which Tom Arthur demonstrated) to show how pruning trees affects their growth. Committee members were encouraged to participate in the online demonstration to supplement their pruning skills.

Denny and Caroline Walsh expressed concern for how the yard waste is disposed of on workdays. They buy the large paper bags and save the waste to take to Valhalla Park when the township allows people to bring their brush and yard waste there. They said if things are thrown in the ditch, it could later cause a blockage when it floods. Patti said she would investigate waste disposal options. Caroline also felt it would be beneficial to contact Capital Area Management and Cheryl Spicer, President of the EMPOA condos association to clarify what trees belong to the condos and which belong to the rest of EMPOA.

There were no assignments made other than the workdays. Patti will e-mail everyone with an update of the specifics on the projects. It was agreed to meet behind Paul Pirrotta's house at 9:00 a.m. on the 28th.

Patti showed pictures of a "creeping crud" that is growing on spruce trees. She said she would try to contact the MSU Extension to find out what it is and if it is a disease that will kill the trees. The next meeting date was set for September 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Patti's house.