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Nannen Arboretum Board Meeting Minutes February 12 2024

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

             February 12, 2024, Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending: Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward, and MJ Brown.

  • Approved agenda
  • Call meeting to order and welcome
  • Minutes: The Trustees considered the minutes of the February 12, 2024 meeting. Gretchen moved and Steve seconded the motion to accept. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Correspondence:
    • Farmers Neighbor Dinner will be April 10th this year with a $25.00 cost and we will sponsor a half      table again.
    • We received $750.00 Bed Tax from the Cattaraugus County Tourism Bureau to use to update the brochure.
  • Treasury: Pat reported no new Income or expenses for the last quarter of the year. Diane moved and Gretchen seconded to accept the report. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Reports from committees/projects:
    • Herb Garden:
    • We discussed the idea of having more collections in the Herb garden such as a hydrangea collection.
    • Update of Volunteers:
    • March 18th will be our next Winter Connection meeting at 9:00.
  • Update on Pruning Plan:
    • We are highlighting several trees at each board meeting. The Fringe Tree, Contorted Pine and Crabapple Tree Collection were discussed this week.
  • Update on Ground Maintenance: No Report
  • Membership Committee: No Report
  • Education and Interpretive Signage:
  • Steve made a motion and Pat seconded it for Nan to purchase two bundles of Eastern Pine trees   to give to each third grader from ECS in the fall.
  • Memorial Brochure and creations of policies:
    • Committee met February 1st to review 2 new changes to the brochure.
  • Unfinished Business:
    •   The nominating committee gave a new slate of possible candidates for trustees.  They are Blair Hamilton, Mike Braun, Laurie Barrera and Nan Miller.
    • Bob Ellis is willing to help us with the IRS Form for the IRS and informed us that we don’t need to have an audit at this time.
    • We need to produce a form to file anytime any monies are given to the treasurer for any reason.
  • New Business:
    • Arbor Day will be April 26th this year
    • Nan informed us of a potential grant from the American Conifer Society for our planned conifer    project.
  • Adjournment: Motion was made by MJ Brown to adjourn meeting, Gretchen seconded it and it was approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting is April 8, 2024 at 10:00.

 

Respectively Submitted Diane Smith Secretary

Nannen Arboretum Society Board Meeting Minutes January 8 2024

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2024 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending: Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward, and MJ Brown.

  • Reviewed and approved agenda.
  • Call to order and welcome.
  • Financial Review: Nan introduced Pam Shumway from Morgan Stanley speaking on behalf of our endowment fund that started from a donation from the estate of one of our volunteers, Paul Kingston.
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the December 11, 2023 meeting. Pat moved and Gretchen seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $2842 for the 10/01/23- 12/31/23 quarter. Expenses totaled $10213.29. Sue moved and MJ seconded to accept the report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Reports from Committees/projects:
    • Herb Garden: No Report
    • Update of Volunteers: Reminder of January 15th Winter Connection meeting for volunteers at 9:00.
    • Update on Pruning Plan: Bruce Robinson, Nan and Pat completed 95% of the pruning of the Arctic Willow trees
    • Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan: No Report
    • Membership Committee: No Report
    • Education and interpretive Signage: No Report
    • Master Gardner Report: Kelly McDonald announced that Shannon Rinow, Master Gardner director for Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County, is resigning from Cattaraugus County.
    • MOU Agreement to the Town of Ellicottville: It was discussed and voted on. Pat made a motion to sign and Gretchen seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
  • Unfinished Business:
    • A nominating committee was formed to elect trustees replacing out – going members. It consists of Steve Ward, MJ Brown, and Diane Smith. They will meet at a later date.
  • New Business:
    • Gretchen made a motion to accept the annual letter to the town regarding our accomplishments for the year. Sue seconded the motion and it was accepted unanimously. It will be sent to the Town.
  • Adjournment:
    • Motion was made by Sue to adjourn and seconded by MJ. It was approved unanimously.
    • Next meeting is February 12, 2024 at 10:00.

Respectfully Submitted Diane Smith, Secretary

Nannen Arboretum Board Meeting Minutes November 13 2023

     Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

     Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

     November 13, 2023 Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending: Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Diane Smith, Steve Ward, and MJ Brown and Gretchen Plough.

  • Approved agenda.
  • Call to order and welcome.
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the October 9, 2023 meeting. Pat moved and Gretchen seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Correspondence: Nan presented us with thank you notes from all of the ECS 3rd graders that visited the Arboretum for a tree tour.
  • Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $41.00 for the 10/1/2023- 10/31/23 quarter. Expenses totaled $10,195.00.  Diane moved and Gretchen seconded to accept the report. The motion was approved and carried unanimously.
  • Reports from Committees/projects:
    • Herb Garden: Kaitlyn Kroft and Matt Snyder will create a new herb garden map for 2024.
    • Update of Volunteers: We discussed maybe the volunteers meeting once a month during the winter months to keep in touch.
    • Update on Pruning Plan: Reviewed plan on TV
    • Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan: We will have the PH checked in the pond.
    • Membership Committee: No report
    • Education and Interpretive Signage: Wreath making class is over 32 so we are adding a second class.  We will meet on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
    • Memorial Brochure: We will use Cattaraugus County Grant to create.
    • Master Gardner: No report
    • Giving Tuesday Progress: Nan will have reminders starting on November 14th up until November 27th to remind us of the November 28th
    • MOU w/Town: It was reviewed.
  • Unfinished Business: None
  • New Business: None
  • Adjournment: Motion was made by Steve to adjourn meeting. It was seconded by Diane and approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting is December 11 ,2023 at 10.00.

 

 

Nannen Arboretum Board Meeting Minutes -October 9, 2023

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

October 9, 2023 Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending:  Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Diane Smith, Steve Ward, and MJ Brown.

Absent was Gretchen Plough.

  • Approved agenda
  • Call to order and welcome.
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the September 11, 2023 meeting. Steve moved and MJ seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Correspondence: No report.
  • Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $ 5937.00 for the 7/1/23-9/30/23 quarter.  Expenses totaled $2754.27.  Diane moved and MJ seconded to accept the report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Reports from Committees/projects:
    • Herb Garden: Steve has been weed eating the paths in the garden and is almost complete.
    • Update of Volunteers:
      • We have a gift card for Sue Parsons for her generosity making muffins for the volunteers all summer.
      • Reminder of the volunteer luncheon tomorrow at noon
      • The 3rd grade class of ECS is coming to Arboretum for a walk around looking for a tree to plant on Arbor Day at the school.
  • Update on Pruning plan:
    • We were unable to watch the pruning plan on power point
    • Bradley Tree Service coming next week
    • Deer fencing is done except for finishing off around Holly Bushes.
    • Steve thanked for volunteering his tractor to move wood chips to Northrup and spread around.
  • Update on Ground Maintenance:
    • Fence posts on side of pond need fixing. The fence is supporting the wisteria.
    • John Kinder is only weed eating by the road .Do we need to address this?
    • Several benches need fixing and Ed has agreed to fix over winter.
    • Cat tails need to be cut before winter so they will die off.
  • Membership Committee: No report
  • Education and Interpretive Signage:
    • ECS tree project were given 13 choices of trees to choose from.
    • Wreath making class is November 29th.
    • Fall tree class October 26th at 7:00. Topic is trees suitable for4B zone and preparing for winter damage and when to deal with it. Bruce Robinson will be the presenter.7.
  • Master Gardner Report:
    • Kelly reported a new Master Gardner class will begin in early 2024.
    • A succulent and fairy garden class will be held after the first of the year.
    • There will be a forest walk soon.
  • Unfinished Business:
    • MOU with the town is being completed.
    • ” Giving Tuesday” will be discussed at next meeting.
  • New Business:
    • We are in the process of acquiring new board members. Please refer to the print out Board of Trustees Responsibilities.
  • Adjournment:
    • Motion was made by Sue to adjourn meeting, Steve seconded it , approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting is November 13, 2023 at 10:30

 

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith secretary.

 

 

Nannen Arboretum Board Meeting Minutes – September 11, 2023

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2023 Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending: Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith and MJ Brown.

Absent was Steve Ward.

  • Approved agenda.
  • Call meeting to order and welcome everyone.
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of August 14, 2023 meeting. A revision was made by Steve along with a spelling correction.  Gretchen moved and MJ seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Correspondence – no report
  • Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $5837 for the 7/1/23 to 8/31/23 quarter. Expenses totaled $2499. Gretchen moved and MJ seconded to accept report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Reports from committees/projects:
    • Herb garden:
      • Steve is donating some additional fence posts to use around dogwood collection. He will bring by October 2nd for deer fencing day.
    • Update on volunteers:
      • Volunteer luncheon menu flyer was distributed for the October 10th We are to fill out and return to Steve ASAP.  It will be catered by Villaggio’s.
      • Reminder that ice cream social is at Nan’s on September 12th at 2:00.
  • Update on Pruning Plan:
    • Plan was reviewed on T.V. screen.
  • Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan:
    • Nan is installing new bricks on Celebration walk after following up on some printing issues.
    • No new progress on the shed maintenance.
    • Discussed using a “pond shark” in the pond for cutting the cat tails.
    • Julie Tretts has almost competed mulching project
  • Membership Committee: No report
  • Education and Interpretive Signage
    • Pat reported a successful Hydrangea class.
    • Steve made a correction to the September minutes to have ECS students to be involved in choosing a tree to plant next Arbor Day at ECS not the Arboretum as originally stated in the minutes.
    • A wreath making class is scheduled for November 30th.
  • Memorial Brochure – Discussed what needs to be done to utilize the bed tax money for printing our new brochures and the estimated cost.
  • Master Gardener Report – Kelly McDonald, Executive Director, spoke of another Master Gardner class beginning in 2024. They will also have a mini Hybrid Series – Growing Garlic in western NY starting at noon to 12:30pm on Wednesday September 20 followed on September 26th -Winterizing Your Garden, Growing Herbs October 26th, and ending with National Pickle Day on November 14th.
  • Board Members
    • Nan brought it to our attention that some of the officers terms are going to expire next year and that we need to have a nominating committee in place to choose new officers for 2024. Gretchen made a motion and MJ seconded it to keep existing officers in effect until April’s yearly meeting.  The vote was unanimous.
      • Pat suggested that we have an audit and make any suggestions or changes at that time.
      • A motion was made to add two more board members to the current seven we have in place now.  Gretchen made a motion and MJ seconded it.  All voted unanimous.
  • Unfinished Business:
    • We will move forward with “Giving Tuesday”
  • New Business: No report
  • Adjournment: Motion was made by Sue and seconded by Pat. It was approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting is October 9, 2023 at 10:30.

 

Respectively submitted Diane Smith, secretary

 

 

 

Nannen Arboretum Society Board Meeting Minutes July 10,2023

                                                                Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc

                                                             Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

                                                            July 10, 2023 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending:  Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward and MJ Brown.

  1. Approved Agenda
  2. Call to order and welcome everyone starting at 10:45.
  3. Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the June 12, 2023 meeting. Several corrections later Sue moved and Gretchen seconded the motion to accept the minutes. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  4. Correspondence: Pat was contacted by Kirk Windus Executive Director, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation who deals with agency endowments and wants us to consider investing with them in protecting our endowment. We already are investing with Morgan Stanley and can achieve the same thing by just changing our by-laws to generate $6,000.00 each year to help run the Arboretum instead of investing somewhere else. The issue with Kirk was tabled.
  5. Treasury: Pat Kerl reported a total income of $743.00 for the 6//23 – 6/30/23 quarter.  Expenses were $1254.56.  Diane moved and Gretchen seconded the report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  6. Reports from committees/projects:
    1. Herb Garden:
      1. Ed installed the Bible Verse on a stake next to the big stone wheel in the garden.
      2. Nan spoke with police regarding the vandalism in the herb garden. They will make everyone aware and will check on things.
    2. Update of Volunteers: No report
    3. Update on Pruning Plan:
      1. Ray and Blair are pruning the crabapple trees.
    4. Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan:
      1. Our tree watering plan in place seems to be working.
      2. Steve will follow up with John Kinder and Matt about our mowing contract.
      3. Steve is still working on getting tractor to arboretum to move wood chips to the Northrup.
      4. The bridge has been scraped but nothing else has been done.
    5. Membership Committee: No Report
    6. Education and Interpretive Signage:
      1. The Trail is coming right where the Hugel Kultur and snag trees are so we aren’t putting up signs and are looking for a new place for it.
      2. Pat will be giving a presentation called “Demystifying Hydrangeas” on August 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Center open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
    7. Memorial Brochure: No report
    8. Master Gardner Report: No report
  7. Unfinished Business: No report
  8. New Business: No Report
  9. Adjournment::
    1. A motion was made by Sue and seconded by MJ to adjourn meeting.  It was approved unanimously.
  1. Next meeting will be August 14, 2023 at 10:30.

Respectfully submitted, Diane Smith secretary.

 

 

 

Nannen Arboretum Society Board Meeting Minutes June 12 2023

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

June 12, 2023, Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending:  Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward, and MJ Brown.

  1. Agenda was approved.
  2. Call to order and welcome.
  3. Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the May, 8, 2023 meeting.  Gretchen moved and Nan seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried unanimously.
  4. Correspondence: We received a thank you note from Anita Ploetz and the family thanking us for making Arbor Day so successful.
  5. Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $ 1011.00 for the 5/1/23 – 5/31/23 quarter.  Expenses totaled. $ 647.72.  Gretchen moved and MJ seconded to accept the treasurers report.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  6. Reports from committees/projects:
    1. Herb Garden – Matt Snyder  and Marguerite Newton have been weeding and planting in the herb garden.
    2. Update of Volunteers: No report
    3. Update on Pruning Plan: –
      1. Discussed the problem of some vandalism in the Arboretum around the new dogwood plantings. We thought that we should report to the Town and or maybe the police.
      2. A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Gretchen to accept the bid from Bradley Tree & Landscaping for the trimming and removal of certain trees around the Arboretum.
      3. We received 5 yards of mulch from Bruce Winship.
  7. Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan:
    1. Several tree signs were ruined by the mowers. We need to address this with the mowers.
    2. Dan Aldrich has agreed to donate paint, scrape, and paint and seal our bridge for $500.00.
    3. We are making plans to move the wood chips to the Northrup.
  8. Education and Interpretive Signage:
    1. We need to frame several of our signs for better visibility.
  9. Unfinished Business:
    1. Steve and MJ reported that they will work on rewriting and/ or creating various needed policies in the fall when things slow down.
  10. New Business:
    1. No new report from Ray about repairs to the shed.
  11. Adjournment: A motion was made by Sue and seconded by Diane to adjourn the meeting It was approved unanimously.
  12. Next meeting will be on July 10, 2023 at 10:30.

Respectively submitted, Diane Smith secretary

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc. Board Meeting Minutes May 8, 2023

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

May 8, 2023

Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending:  Sue Blesy, Pat Kerl, Nan Miller, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward. Absent was MJ Brown.

  1. Approved agenda
  2. Call to order and welcomed.
  3. The Ploetz family gave all the volunteers a thank you gift of a Yeti thermos.
  4. Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the April 10, 2023 meeting.  Gretchen moved and Pat seconded the motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.  Nan suggested that we put a copy of our minutes to all volunteers under news on our web site.  Sue made a motion and Steve seconded it.  The vote was unanimous. Nan will post a sign in our volunteer time book with the details.
  5. Correspondence: Greg Spako received a response from D.E.C about the cutting of the underbrush along various highways.
  6. Treasury: Pat reported a total income of $1053.00 for the 4/1/23- 4/30/23 quarter.  Expenses totaled $1772.00.  Sue moved and Gretchen seconded to accept the report. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  7.   Reports from Committees /Projects:
  8. Herb Garden:  The Dogwoods are all planted in the herb garden with one left over that is going to be planted beside patio garden.
  9. Update of volunteers: No Report
  10. Update of Pruning Plan:
  11. Contacting another tree Pruning Company to do some work .Trees needing pruning are the Kentucky coffee Trees, Scarlet Oak, honey locust, and River Birch.
  12. The hazelnuts have been moved to a different location.
  13.  Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan:
  14. Dan Aldrich has been contacted about painting the bridge.
  15. Reviewed Julie Trett’s proposal of $130.00 per tree for 26 trees for a total of $3380.00 to create mulch beds for trees above the pond.  We will provide the newspapers, cardboard and mulch and she will add the mulch.  We need to know how much mulch needed and where to put the mulch for best access. Julie will also give us a bid to repair drainage ditch
  16. Membership Committee: No Repor
  17. Education and Interpretive Signage:
  1. We made $135.00 with speaker Tim Baird workshop.
  2. Nan is getting new signs for Hugelkultur, snag tree etc. out front.
  3. Arbor Day:  It was agreed that it was a great success.  A special thanks went out to Nan and Pat for all their hard work putting it together.
  4.   Report from Master Gardner:  Shannon Rinow has reported that the raised garden bed project has been postponed for this year.  The Master Gardner program is graduating 6 new Master Gardeners this year.
  5. Unfinished Business: Caitlyn Croft was absent from meeting.
  6. New Business:
  7. We all signed the” Conflict of Interest” forms and returned to Pat.
  8. Adjournment: Motion was made by Sue to adjourn meeting, Gretchen seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
  9. Next meeting will be on June 12, 2023 at 10:30.

 

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith secretary.

 

Arbor Day 2023 Minutes

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Arbor Day Annual Meeting

April 28, 2023

Ellicottville Town Center

  1. Call meeting to order and welcome everyone.  Nan Miller introduced invited guests.
  2. Pat Kerl presented the 2022 accomplishments and workshops done during the year at the Arboretum.
  3. Pat reported a total income of $10,367.00 taken in for the year. Expenses totaled $ 8507.00 for a total profit of $ 1860.00.
  4. Mayer John Burrell read the Tree City proclamation and gave a brief history of the Arboretum including how a former mayor of Ellicottville, William Nannen, donated the 8 acres of land that the Arboretum sits on. Three new trees were donated by the John Ploetz family and planted by Tom Draves.
  5. We have a Quercus dentata ‘Pinnatifida’ also known as a Plume Oak, and a Salix x ‘Scarcuzam’ also known as a Scarlet Curls Willow, and a Pinus Aristata also known as a Bristlecone Pine.
  6. The meeting was adjourned and everyone enjoyed a great lunch and socializing.
  7. Memorabilia of the Arboretum was displayed throughout the auditorium for all to enjoy.

 

 

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith secretary.

 

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc. Board Meeting Minutes April 10 2023

 

NANNEN ARBORETUM SOCIETY, INC.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

April 10, 2023 ELLICOTTVILLE TOWN CENTER

Members attending:  Sue Blesy, Nan Miller, Par Kerl, Gretchen Plough, Diane Smith, Steve Ward.

Absent: M J Brown.

  1. Approved agenda
  2. Call meeting to order and welcome.
    1. Caitlyn Croft, on behalf of the Farmers Market, along with John Barlow and Matt Snyder attended the meeting. The Board agreed they could pursue using one of the gardens in the Herb Garden for planting herbs for a one-year trial.
  3. Correspondence:
    1. A flyer was received about an upcoming plant sale at the First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo on May 26th.
    2. There will be an Open House held on April 24th from 4-7 to honor Dick Rivers retirement. We will do a quick clean up on Friday, April 14th at 9:30.
    3. We have a brick order and a new bench order.
  4. Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the March 13, 2023 meeting.  A revision was made, and a motion made by Gretchen seconded by Sue to accept the minutes. The motion was approved and carried by a   unanimous vote.
  5. Treasury: Pat Kerl reported a total income of $ 35.00 for the 3/1/23 – 3/31/23 quarter. Expenses totaled $ 175.00.  Steve made a motion and Gretchen seconded to accept the report. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote. A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Nan to approve the IRS 990 filed by Pat. The motion was approved unanimously.
  6. Reports from committees/projects:
    1. Herb Garden: Steve has contacted Paul Timkey about building a new railing going up to the herb garden.
    2. Update of Volunteers: Steve submitted a revised newsletter to volunteers along with flyer to advertise our upcoming cleanup day on April 29 from 9-12.
    3. Update on Pruning Plan:
      1. We are going to move hazelnut trees to a dryer location. Nan will dig holes
    4. Update on Grounds Maintenance Plan: We are going to outsource the mulching of some trees.
    5. Membership: No report
    6. Education and Interpretive Signage May 3 for speaker Tim Baird on the effects of Continental Glacier and Cattaraugus County.
    7. Arbor Day Celebration:
      1. We will be doing a cleanup day on Friday April 14
      2. Set up for Arbor Day will be April 27 at 10:00
    8. Master Gardener Update: No report
  7. Unfinished Business: We made plans to meet at the Farmer Neighbor Dinner.
  8. New Business: No report.
  9. Adjournment:  Gretchen made a motion to adjourn meeting, Nan seconded, approved unanimously.
  10. Next meeting is May 8, 2023 at 10:30.

 

 

Respectfully submitted, Diane Smith secretary

 

 

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