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Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2025 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending : Paul Timkey, Ed Chapman, Mike Braun, Gretchen Plough, and Laurie Barrera

Absent: Diane Smith. Steve Ward, and Blair Hamilton

1. Call to order by Vice President Mike Braun
2. Minutes: none presented; need to review at July meeting
3. Agenda: No changes Rachael Dove may sit in for part of the meeting
4. Presentations: None
5. Treasurer’s report: attached. Gretchen Plough moved to accept report and Ed Chapman seconded. Passed unanimously.
6. Committee/Project report:
   • Technology:
     • Continued good progress on development of Plantsoon

• • Tree Mapping and Signage:
    • Mike shared sample tree signs designed by Schuberts .Members chose the black background. It was noted that the price will rise slightly when the present supply of blank signs run out. Mike will order 25 signs to begin. Paul will place one rivet in each sign when installed. Laurie Barrera motioned to accept Schuberts as the manufacturer of the signs. Gretchen seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.
    • Sandwich boards were discussed. Need to speak to Town/ Village for rules.
    • A committee needs to be formed to create wording for new signs dealing with donations, purpose of Plantsoon , Pollinator Garden .Rachael Dove expressed interest in being on this committee.

• • Tree Maintenance and Pruning:
    • After discussion it was moved to contact Bradley and St. Matthews to get a bid on what needs to be done .Companies would include what Ray can do and what needs professional work. This was motioned Paul Timkey and seconded by Laurie Barrera. Passed unanimously.

• • Grounds and Infrastructure Maintenance:
    • Solar Fountain was discussed. While leaning towards installing one. the trustees felt that they wanted to discuss further at July They want to talk to Steve Ward for more information.

• • Communications:
    • A note was sent to 7thgraders and teacher Christina Morrison. This group gave us a generous donation and asked very pertinent questions.
    • Questions remain about whether a thank you note was sent to the Village staff about help with Arbor Day or about a fall trip to Cornell;

• • Volunteers:
    • Rachael Dove visited the board meeting for about an hour.

• • Education/Speakers:
    • Merle from Bradley Tree Co. has offered to present a class presentation. Board wishes to hire him. This could be for the public and volunteers.

• • Community Relations/Programs:
    • ECS 5^th graders are scheduled to come to the Arboretum o Monday June 16^th at 9:15. Stations with various activities will be offered to encourage children to interact with nature.
    • Art class and Unplug Wednesday will be discussed at the next meeting.

• • Memorial Program:
    • A large family and volunteer presence honored Sue Blesy by planting a Pin Oak in her memory on June 5^th.

1. • Tree Wish list: No one offered to research a spot to plant the Chestnut Oak.

7. Unfinished Business:
   • Dwarf Conifer Garden:  Weeding has been completed. Two shrubs have been planted and two more will be planted this week

• • Pollinator Garden:  Part of the path between gardens has been seeded. Milkweed in one path has been left for Blair.

1. • Message Board in Herb Garden:  Annette Church and Karen Chapman may take on this project.

1. • Pet Waste:Mostly installed and being used. Still need to install bags.

• • Dogwood Collection:
    • It was decided to treat shrub with fungicide before taking any other action.
    • There is a Dogwood shrub in the patio garden that needs treatment also.

• • Group B Tourism Grant: Please review at July meeting.
  • Donations: Please review at July meeting.
  • Secretary:  After discussion Laurie Berra moved to hire Pat Milks as secretary at 2 hours per month. Gretchen seconded the motion .Passed unanimously.

8. .New Business: None
9. Policy Review
   • Trustees are asking Steve to gather policies. A committee of volunteers will be created at the July meeting to do the required review.

10. Adjournment: Paul motioned to adjourn and Laurie seconded. Passed unanimously. Next meeting is July 14,2025 at 11:30

Nannen Arboretum

Minutes of Trustee Meeting March 10,2025

 Members Present:      Blair Hamilton, Mike Braun, Ed Chapman, Gretchen Plough, Paul Timkey, Nan Miller, and Steve Ward

 Minutes of February 10, 2025 meeting reviewed; motion to approve by Gretchen Plough, second by Blair Hamilton: carried

 Treasurer’s Report:   profit/loss document was reviewed   

 Technology:

-Mike needs zip drive information that Pat provided Steve

 Plantsoon:      305 trees on the system with approximately 185 pictures; need to find coordinates for 35 trees still, provided they exist.  Discussion about adding QR codes to each individual sign discussed:  new sign would cost about $12.50 and just QR tag would be about $2.50.  Motion made by Blair Hamilton to purchase #100 QR code tags as a starting point for existing signs that are in good shape, second by Mike Braun: carried

 CCE:   Kelly McDonald and Kim Oudemool

 -June 2, 2025 will have 7thgrade students from SHS in a leadership class:  arboretum members will have students from 10:30- some type of nature program to be decided

-October 2025 will be have “Creatures of the Night” program that will address bats, racoons, possums, and owls;  early stages of planning speakers and event will be either 17^th& 18^th or 24^th & 25^th. 

 Tree Pruning:   Ed will speak to Ray Johnson about updating the existing plan

Smith Creek Pond:

-will check with Todd Garrison as to where we should start with cleaning the pond as well as cost of some of these products

-Paul will be checking with daughter Emily regarding info on some of the pond products

-discussion about adding a small dock/bench to the pond? 

-Steve will contact Matt McAndrew in regard to dock and fountain concepts

 Bradley Tree Service:

-Ash tree protection to continue for this year

-invasive pests:  Steve will keep a book in the shed that will give some insight into things we should be looking for in the arboretum in regard to early detection

 Volunteers:

-discussion regarding keeping all volunteers informed about programs / events we are working on

-Steve will share worksheet with current volunteers

-agenda and minutes will be their option

Arbor Day 2025:

-date is April 25^th

-discussion:  all members to supply cookies for the event / help with set up needed

-Steve will look into some perennial plant gifts

-John Burrell to be contacted about proclamation

-Speaker: several suggestions/ Tim Bair, Mark Holtz, Bruce Robinson, Brandon Webb/Tiffany Donalson, also to contact Cornell Botanical Garden Staff

-Mike will work on flyer for event

-Steve will work on agenda / will need to include annual meeting to be done

-motion to purchase Hackberry Tree at Turnbull bare root

 Farmer Neighbor Dinner

-Wed April 9, 2025

-will need table runner, basket book reference, easel

-set up of table at 4:30PM

-event starts at 5:30

-to hand out seedlings from DEC/ most likely at end of program in entryway

-attending:  Nan, Blair, Julie, Mike, Ed, Karen, Bobbi, Pat, and Steve

 Ellicottville Central:

-third grade program :  will be in May sometime:  stations to be reviewed and input from teaching staff has been obtained

-will finalize “station” topics at the April meeting

-Arbor Day at ECS will be May 2, 2025/  we will be replacing the oak tree that is dead behind the playground towards the football field

-5^th grade “technology addiction” topic to be reviewed with Kim Oudenmool CCE for possible direction????   Any volunteers want to help?????

 Summer “Art in the Arboretum”

-tentative date was August 2, 2025

-Tri County Art Council Resource Committee:  declined request to organize this event

-concept was for painting, photography, and pottery

-would be very difficult to organize this event on our own

-Seth at Springville Arts Council will be contacted about “owning” this event or help at best!

 Future Programs:

-“unplug” in the Arboretum on Wed nights 6:30-8:30 – time for nature quiet / reading /reflecting

-no active technology allowed

-develop a flyer

-Nan suggested checking out “Forest Bathing”

-Amish Shopping Market:  some Saturday in the parking lot

-to contact Crystal Abers with the county to see if this is anything Amish families would be interested in doing?

Memorial Program:

-tree for Sue Blesy will hopefully be a Cork Oak or Chestnut Oak

-would like to this as a special event for Sue’s family

 Town of Ellicottville

-communication to be made to ask Matt McAndrew about pond ideas of fountain and a possible dock

-will also address future plain to have stairs from main path to pollinator area

-also will offer demo of Plantsoon, perhaps by summer to Village and Town Boards

 Field Trips:

-Cornell Botanical Gardens- still scheduled for May 14, 2025 leaving at 8AM

 Tree Wish List:

-was updated at February Meeting

 Dwarf Conifer Collection:

-Nan will start researching and finding conifers to be planted this spring in the new area near the flagpole

 Pollinator Garden Area:

-new raised beds

-picnic tablets will be treated wood with a Hemlock top

-we will need to get some type of engineering advice as to development of path from main path to pollinator area / will require town input and contractor to complete

 Message Board:

-Steve to move on placing new information

 Pet Waste Containers:

-will be order now for placement in April

 New Business/   Board Member positions

-expiring board positions will be  Gretchen, Diane, and Sue’s position / Paul Timkey will also need to be officially voted on to board

 New Business / Donations:

-need placement of QR code use in arboretum for people to be taken to website to donate

-will need words addressing need for donations and placement of such sign

 Next Meeting   Monday April 14, 2025 at 10:30AM

 Motion to adjourn made by Gretchen Plough, second by Blair Hamilton:  carried

  -hopefully I didn’t miss too much!

Steve Ward

                                                                       Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc

                                                                   Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

                                                                 February 10, 2025 Ellicottville Town Center

Members attending: Ed Chapman, Laurie Barrera. Gretchen Plough, Blair Hamilton, Steve Ward, Paul Timkey and Diane Smith.

Absent: Mike Braun

• Approve agenda
• Call to order and welcome.
• Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the January 13, 2025 meeting. Gretchen moved and Blair seconded the motion to accept the minutes. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
• Guest Speaker: Kim Oudemool –Natural Resource Educator. She recently completed the master gardener program this spring and is now working with Kelly McDonald.
• Treasures Report: Laurie reported income of $ 130.00 for the January 13, 2025 -2/8/25 quarter. Expenses totaled $ 115.72. Paul moved and Blair seconded the report. The motion was approved and carried accept by a unanimous vote.
• Committees and Project Reports:
• Technology – No report
• Tree mapping, inventory, and Signage
  • Mike has entered 160 trees onto Plantsoon inventory. He has 35 trees unaccountable.
• Tree Maintenance and Pruning Plan: No report
• Ground Infrastructure Maintenance:
  • Todd Garrison of Smith Creek Farm did a complete study of our pond and submitted it to us. He informed us that a solar fountain would cost us $10,000.
• Communication:
  • The Farm Neighbor Dinner will be held April 9^th. Cost is $25.00. We will purchase ½ a table for $50.00 to make our advertising display.
  • We will be looking to plant two trees and install 2 bricks to memorialize two of our volunteers that recently passed away Sue Blesy and Maggie Smith.
• Volunteers: No Report
• Education Programs/ Speakers:
  • 3^rd graders coming in the spring/ start thinking of station ideas.
• Community Relationships/Outreach
  • Nominated Blair & Julie, and Bobbi to work on “ Art in the Arboretum” program.
• Memorial Program:
  • Sue wanted an Oak tree planted in her memory.
• Town of Ellicottville:
  • A request was made to Matt McAndrew & John Burrell to link the Towns ellicottvillegov.com to our own Arboretum website.
• Field Trips:
  • A trip to Cornell Botanical Gardens is scheduled for May 14, 2025. We will leave at 8:00 for a 11.00 tour.
• Wish List:
  • Steve shared a handout for an updated tree wish list.
• Unfinished Business:
  • Nan has made a plan that will be more usable for the pollinator garden.
• New Business: No report
• Policy and By- laws- No report
• Adjournment/next Meeting: March 10, 2025 at 10:30. Gretchen moved and Ed seconded to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith secretary

Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2025 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending: Mike Braun, Blair Hamilton, Ed Chapman, Gretchen Plough, Laurie Barrera, Diane Smith, Paul Timkey, and Steve Ward.

• Approve agenda
• Call to order and welcome
• Minutes: The trustees considered the minutes of the December 9, 2024 meeting. Blair made the motion and Ed seconded to accept the minutes. The motion was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
• Guest Speaker: None
• Treasurers Report: Laurie reported income of $2470.66 for the 12/9/24 – 1/2/25 quarter. Expenses totaled $443.52 Steve moved and Blair seconded to accept the report. The motion was approved unanimously.
• Committee and Project Reports:
• Technology: No Report
• Tree Mapping, Inventory, and Signage:
  • Mike is entering data to new computer & the GPS are finished.

• Tree Maintenance and Pruning Plan: No Report
• Ground and Infrastructure Maintenance: No Report.
• Communication : No Report
• Volunteers: No Report
• Education Programs/ Speakers

• • We have a possible virtual program for March from Cornell Botanical Garden Staff.
  • Humanitarian worker Gerry Daley is interested in holding “  technology addiction” for fifth graders.
• Community Relations/Outreach:
  • Art in the Arboretum was discussed for summer of 2025. Need to check the Chambers schedule. It would be a Saturday in July or August.
• Memorial Program: No Report
• Town of Ellicottville:
  • Discussed developing pictures and narrative to promote the Arboretum on the Town’s website.
• Field Trips:
  • Possible field trip to Cornell with Kevin Moss.
• Wish List:
  • Possible trees to add to the Arboretum over time suggested are Shagbark Hickory, Hackberry, Catalpa, Cucumber, American Elm, and Butternut.
•      Unfinished Business:
  • Gretchen made a motion and Steve seconded it to have Paul make two hemlock picnic tables and one elevated flower bed for the pollinator garden.
  • The Town does have millings available for us to use for pollinator area.
  • Nan took care of sending out thank you notes to all those who gave to Giving Tuesday.
• New Business:
  • Made several suggestions for memorial to Sue Blesy. Possibly a tree planting or dedication to new Dwarf garden or possibly the improved pollinator area.

• Policy and By-Laws: No Report.
• Adjournment/ Next meeting:

• • Motion made by Laurie and seconded by Gretchen
  • Next meeting February 10^th at 10:30

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith Secretary

       Nannen Arboretum Society, Inc.

       Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

       Dec.ember 9, 2024 Ellicottville Town Center

Members Attending: Sue Blesy, Mike Braun, Ed Chapman, Laurie Barrera, Blair Hamilton, Steve Ward. and Diane Smith.

Absent:  Gretchen Plough

• Approved agenda
• Call to order and welcome
• Minutes: The Trustees considered the minutes of the November 11, 2024 meeting. Blair made a motion to accept and Sue seconded motion. It was approved and carried by a unanimous vote.
• Guest Speaker: none
• Treasures Report: Laurie reported income of $125.00 for the 11/11/24 12/6/24 quarter.  Expenses totaled $358.07. Diane moved and Ed seconded the motion to accept the report. The motion was approved unanimously.
• Committee and Project Reports
• Technology:
  • Mike has purchased a new computer for the trustees and is adding our information.
• Tree Mapping , Inventory, and Signage: No Report
• Tree Maintenance and Pruning Plan: No Report
• Ground & Infrastructure Maintenance:
  • Mathews has cut down the dead Maple tree but the stump remains.
• Communication: No Report
• Volunteers:
  • Tom and Michelle Opsahl have invited the volunteers to their home for a Christmas gathering.
• Education Program/ Speakers:
  • We might expand our wreath making classes to include several wreath raffles to increase money making.
  • Daniel Weitoish/ has a great program on Cornell Botanical Gardens.
  • We held our first Winter Connections meeting on December 9, 2024.
• Community Relationships/ Outreach:
  • A group picture of the 3^rd graders from ECS was in the centerfold of the school newsletter.
  • We are still looking into “Art in the Arboretum” for next year.
• Memorial Program:
  • We are still resourcing picnic table prices for the pollinator area.
• Town of Ellicottville:
  • Discussed plan to promote Arboretum on the town’s website
• Field Trips:
  • A possible road trip to Cornell Botanical Gardens, Webster Arboretum, Delaware Park Japanese Garden, Highland Parks, and Durand Eastman Arboretum.
• Wish List:
  • Steve asked us all to be thinking of any trees that we would like to see in the Arboretum.
• Unfinished Business:
  • ”Giving Tuesday” figures 2021-$1000, 2022-$1475, 2023-1100, 2024- $1419.
  • Pet waste container to be placed at entrance $189 and $289 – a bag only review box to be placed somewhere near the pond is $ 89
• New Business; No Report
• Policy ab By- Laws: No Report
• Adjournment: Laurie made a motion to adjourn and Blair seconded it. Meeting is January 13, 2025 at 10:30 after Winter Connections at 9:00.

Respectfully submitted Diane Smith Secretary

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.

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 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 26^th.
   2. There will be an Open House held on April 24^th from 4-7 to honor Dick Rivers retirement. We will do a quick clean up on Friday, April 14^th 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