Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

July 8, 2024 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending: Sue Blesy, Mike Braun, Laurie Barrera, Gretchen Plough, Blair Hamilton, Steve Ward  and Diane Smith

Abscent: Ed Chapman

  • Approve agenda
  • Call to order and welcome
  • Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the June 10, 2024 meeting. Gretchen made motion and Blair seconded to accept the minutes. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
  • Guest Speaker: Kelly McDonald told of us of a Wild American Chestnut Hike on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
  • Treasurers Report: Laurie reported income of $7386.00 for the 1/1/2024- 7/5/2024 quarter. Expenses totaled $4209.20. Diane moved and Sue seconded to accept report. The motion was approved unanimously. Laurie is moving forward with acquiring a credit card for use by members of the board.
  • Committee & Project Report:
    • Technology: No Report
    • Tree Mapping Inventory & Signage: Mike showed us a sample of Plant Soon program that Draves Arboretum uses for us to identify our trees with use of bar code.
    • Tree Maintenance & Prunning Plan: We still need to get with Ray to address what he is able to do himself and what we need to hire to be done.
    • Ground & Infrastructure Maintenance:
      • Paul is working on broken bench slats
      • gazebo will be power washed – Steve has a gas powered pressure washer.
    • Communication
      • Mike Joslyn service selected
      • We will use google for email/WP Engine for hosting
      • name cheap account established to link domain
      • A letter was sent to Southern Tier IT to unlock domain and provide authorization or EPP code
    • Volunteers:  We have a new volunteer Bobbie Tomcjyk
    • Education Program/ Speakers
      • tick program was successful with 26 persons attending
      • Tri County Arts Counsel: Blair talked to Paula Bernstein
      • Jake Kelly – we are still waiting to hear from him about our pond and we are looking into fountain pricing
    • Community Relationships/ Outreach:
      • Steve spoke to Jean Davis about Great Valley Ellicottville Senior Citizens offering a fall walk thru the Arboretum and maybe serving cider and donuts.
    • Memorial Program:
      • The broken polywood bench is repaired
      • Nan now has three brick orders
    • Town of Ellicottville:
      • Reminder that any budget requests need to be submitted in August.
    • Field Trips:
      • 12 members attended Draves Arboretum
      • Open Gardens – Hamburg/Orchard Park Area on July 25th.
    • Still need suggestions to work on a new wish list ( winter project )
  • Unfinished Business:
    • 40’ x 6’ Dwarf Conifer Plan- Nan has ordered dirt and work will begin.
  • New Business :
    • We discussed thoughts of our roadway view across from fire department
    • Policy and By-Laws: no report
  • Adjournment: Next meeting will be August 12th. Gretchen made motion to adjourn and Sue seconded it. Vote was unanimous.