Oak Ridge public meetings in 2023
7 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board met on October 5, 2023, and approved the minutes from the August 3, 2023 meeting. The board discussed several items, including reducing event hours for next Oak Ridge Heritage Day, addressing the aging pine plantation at Heritage Park, and replacing trimmed trees along Linville Rd. No formal decisions were made on these topics; actions were limited to assigning follow-ups.
- Approved minutes from August 3, 2023 meeting (6-0)
- Approved agenda for October 5, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Discussed reducing Oak Ridge Heritage Day event hours; no action taken
- Nancy Stoudemire to contact local forester about Heritage Park pine plantation
- ORTB and ORGC to meet with Oak Ridge Elementary principal about dead trees
- Discussed replacing trimmed trees along Linville Rd; no formal decision
- Terry Lannon to follow up on Tree City application
- Gigi Williams to lead search for free tree seedlings for Arbor Day 2024
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board approved the June 1, 2023 minutes and the August 3, 2023 agenda, both unanimously (6-0). They discussed plans for the Oak Ridge Heritage Day on September 30, including a tree expert booth and leaf display, and heard that two compromised oak trees were removed from Heritage Park and mulched. No formal decisions were made beyond the approvals.
- Approved June 1, 2023 meeting minutes (6-0)
- Approved August 3, 2023 agenda (6-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 10:47 am (6-0)
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board met and discussed the ORTP Event Center site plan, focusing on tree species suitability, shade coverage, and parking lot materials. They also reviewed the sustainability of Red Oak and White Oak trees at Heritage Park, with a recommendation to remove them. No formal decisions were made; items were deferred to the June 8 Town Council meeting.
- Approved minutes from April 6, 2023 meeting (4-0)
- Approved agenda for June 1, 2023 meeting (4-0)
- Discussed ORTP Event Center tree species, shade, and parking pavers; no vote
- Discussed Heritage Park oak removal; no vote
- Adjourned meeting (4-0)
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board discussed the town's failure to obtain Tree City USA status for 2023 due to an incomplete 2022 submission, and planned Arbor Day celebration events for 2023, including Ridge Fest and Heritage Day. The board approved the March minutes and the agenda, and discussed a proposed $1,500 budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. No formal decisions were made on the budget or events, which remain under discussion.
- Approved minutes from March 2, 2023 meeting (3-0)
- Approved agenda for April 6, 2023 meeting (3-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 10:50 am (3-0)
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Town Council unanimously approved paying off the remaining $900,000 principal plus a negotiated $50,000 early payoff fee on the Heritage Farm Park property loan, totaling $950,000, using unrestricted reserve funds. The payment is contingent on the Whitakers' consent and will be made by March 31, 2023, to enable the town to secure financing for park development through the Local Government Commission. The council also approved the meeting agenda and adjourned.
- Approved $950,000 early payoff of Heritage Farm Park loan (5-0)
- Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 2:06 p.m. (5-0)
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board unanimously elected Nancy Stoudemire as Chair, Gigi Williams as Vice-Chair, and Austin Goldman as Secretary for one-year terms. The board discussed promoting Treasure Trees, proposed a $1,500 budget for fiscal year 2023-2024, and reviewed park tree management including removal of Bradford pear trees and options for adding shade trees along Linville Road. No formal action was taken on these discussion items.
- Approved February 2, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Elected Nancy Stoudemire as Chair for one-year term (unanimous)
- Elected Gigi Williams as Vice-Chair for one-year term (unanimous)
- Elected Austin Goldman as Secretary for one-year term (unanimous)
- Adjourned meeting at 10:54am (5-0)
Meeting
The Oak Ridge Tree Board reviewed the 2023 Annual Tree Maintenance Plan presented by Parks & Recreation, covering town parks, entrance signs, Cascades, and Union Cemetery, along with a budget for tree care. The board unanimously elected Nancy Stoudemire as Chair, Gigi Williams as Vice-Chair (pending Town Council approval), and Austin Goldman as Secretary. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved 2023 Annual Tree Maintenance Plan (unanimous)
- Elected Nancy Stoudemire as Chair for one-year term (unanimous)
- Elected Gigi Williams as Vice-Chair for one-year term, pending Town Council approval (unanimous)
- Elected Austin Goldman as Secretary for open term (unanimous)