200709 PBC AGDThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
PARKS, BEAUTIFICATION & CEMETERY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
July 9, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
AGENDA
1.Call to Order
2.Adoption of Agenda
Proposed Resolution #1
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory
Committee Meeting of July 9, 2020, be adopted.
3.Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Proposed Resolution #2
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Minutes of the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee
Meeting of February 6, 2020, be approved.
4.Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5.General Business & Reports
5.1. Cemetery Bylaw Update;
5.2. Cemetery Flower Campaign;
5.3. COVID19 Impact – Parks & Cemetery;
5.4. Beatification Program Update;
5.5. Annual Committee Report Update;
5.6. Explore Tillsonburg 2021;
5.7 Carol Trail Restoration
6.Next Meeting
TBD
7.Adjournment
Proposed Resolution #3
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the July 9, 2020 Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee Meeting
be adjourned at _____ a.m.
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
PARKS, BEAUTIFICATION & CEMETERY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
February 6, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Suite 203, 200 Broadway, 2nd Floor
MINUTES
Present: Christine Nagy, Sue Saelens, Donna Scanlan, Mike Dean, Ken Butcher & Penny Esseltine
Absent with Regrets: Bob Marsden, Marian Smith, Paul DeCloet, Paul Wareing & Robert Verhoeve
Also Present: Corey Hill
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved by: Christine Nagy
Seconded by: Ken Butcher
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee
meeting of February 6, 2020, be adopted. Item 5.5 “Kiwanis Sign” was added to the agenda.
Carried
3. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Resolution #2
Moved by: Penny Esseltine
Seconded by: Christine Nagy
THAT the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 9,
2020, be approved.
Carried
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
5. General Business & Reports
5.1. Receive resignation of Committee Vice -Chairperson;
Corey Hill (Staff Liaison & Acting Chair) shared with the Committee a letter of resignation from the
position of Committee Vice-Chair submitted by Paul Wareing.
5.2. Nomination & Election of New Vice-Chairperson;
Motion
Moved by: Penny Esseltine
Seconded by: Ken Butcher
THAT Christine Nagy be nominated for the position of Vice Chair.
Carried
5.3. Keep Tillsonburg Beautiful/Trails Celebration Event Planning;
The Committee discussed the event and confirmed the proposed date & location as being
Saturday, June 6, 2020, at Coronation Park. There was Committee consensus to re-name the
event “Explore Tillsonburg” and to focus on park & trail clean -up, guided trail walks, sharing the
history of the park, kids crafts & and a lunch. Mike Dean will follow -up on the historical component
to the park and Corey Hill will follow-up with the Station Arts Centre for the kids’ activities.
5.4. Cemetery Bylaw (#3640) Revisions – Section “F”, “G” & “H”;
The Committee reviewed Section “F, G & H” of the current Cemetery Bylaw #3640. This
completed the review of the by-law. Corey Hill will compile all Committee comments into a revised
draft by-law and will endeavour to present back to the Committee at the April meeting.
5.5. Kiwanis Sign;
The Committee discussed the status of the round metal Kiwanis Coronation Park sign that is
located just off of John Pound Road where there once was a pedestrian foot bridge accessing the
park. The sign is aged and not in good aesthetic condition. The removal of the sign was deferred
to staff. Corey Hill will follow-up on this item and reported that when the sign is removed, it will be
kept at the Parks operations area in case the Kiwanis group wishes to reclaim it.
6. Next Meeting
Thursday, March 12, 2020, at 9:00a.m.at the Corporate Office Annex Suite 203 meeting room.
7. Adjournment
Resolution #3
Moved by: Ken Butcher
Seconded by: Penny Esseltine
THAT the January 9, 2020 Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committ ee meeting be
adjourned at 9:54 a.m.
Carried
..
•
Carol Trail Restoration
On December 6ili, Paul DeCloet, John Wellhauser and I took a walk along the Carol trail between the
sewage treatment plant and the Hwy 3 bridge to discuss options for future enhancing the Big Otter
valley and trail system.
A few years ago, Mike Carrier Tree Services removed a number of Norway Maple and European Black
Alder that were flagged along the trail. Both species are non-native and aggressive, and have been
identified as species to control in Southern Ontario. Although the initial removal activities were a great
start at preserving and enhancing the native Carolinian forest along the Carol Trail, further steps need
to be taken. From observations made during our site visit, the following activities have been identified:
Additional control/removal of Norway Maple and European Black Alder, and the control and
removal of other non-native, aggressive vegetation including: Phragrnites australis, Japanese
Knotweed, Glossy Buckthom, Tartarian Honeysuckle etc.
Establishment of native vegetation to replace the removed un-desirables and to enhance the
sites species richness; and
Ongoing monitoring to determine the effectiveness of the control measures, and to identify any
additional issues.
The following is a summary of some of the methods of controlling the undesirables along the trail.
Trees & Shrubs
Cutting and treating the stumps with Round-up is an effective way of killing trees and shrubs like
Norway Maple, European Black Alder, Glossy Buckthom, and Tartarian Honeysuckle. Within 5
minutes after cutting, the stumps should be treated with a high concentration of Round-up. Note, this
method is most effective when there isn't a lot of moisture or sap present.
A basil application of Garton is another effective way of treating trees and shrubs. This method
involves simply spraying around the base of the tree or shrub, making sure the product is applied
around the entire trunk. Controlling trees and shrubs with Garton can be undertaken anytime of year.
Phragmites australis
The best method of controlling Phragrnites is to apply a 3 to 5% Round-up solution to the plant when it
comes out in flower and until the first heavy frost (August to October). Note, Phragrnites patches need
to be monitored and treated for residual growth for a few years after the initial treatment.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed can be controlled using similar methods and timing as Phragmites, but an initial
cutting in June prior to late summer/early fall Round-up application has helped control it in Toronto
(per. com. E. Giles).
Note, the application of any herbicide can only be undertaken by a licenced individual, following
the Ontario Pesticide Regulations, and product recommendations.
Planting Native Vegetation
After controlling the undesirable vegetation, it is important to plant native species appropriate to the
site. This will minimize re-colonization of undesirables, and promote biodiversity.
Along the creek banks I would suggest planting American Sycamore, Black Maple, Eastern
Cottonwood, American Basswood, Pawpaw, and Balsam Poplar. In the lower, swampy areas between
the valley and the trail/creek, I would suggest planting Tamarack, White Birch, Eastern Hemlock,
White Cedar, and Black Gum. To promote biodiversity, other species such as Tulip Tree, and
Cucumber Magnolia can be planted in areas that are moist but well drained.
It is recommended that sites be flagged out prior to planting to ensure that species are planted in the
right location.
A mix of native grasses and forbs should be seeded in areas that were heavily infested by Japanese
Knotweed, or Phragmites (Riverbank & Virginia Wild Rye, Wild Bergamot, Sweet Ox-eye, Green-
headed Coneflower etc.). This will help to minimize the re-colonization ofun-desirables.
Paul Gagnon
Lands & Waters Supervisor
Long Point Region Conservation Authority
4 Elm Street
Tillsonburg, ON
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