2013-10-10-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. Donation: Peter Enrich, former Selectman, donated $250.00 to the Tree Fund "in appreciation of the work of the Tree Committee." 8. Town Asset Designation: A presentation was made by Gerry Paul to the Town Appropriations Committee, urging that trees be considered a Town Asset in the same manner as streetlights etc. The AC appreciated these points and strongly recommended raising it with Director of Public Works Bill Hadley and Director of Operations Dave Pinsonneault. 9. Tree Removal: The matter of Lexington Toyota's removal of 12 screening pear trees was brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals September 26 in October. Responding to many concerned citizen approaches to the Tree Committee over the loss of these trees, three members of the TC attended the hearing. Karen represented Chairman Frey, who was out of town, and Gerry and Jim Wood also contributed. In the end, the Board agreed with our position, and voted that these removals and proposed replacements were not "minor" matters as held by Lexington Toyota, and that they merited a fully publicized hearing with notification to abutters. The TC has not been shown the new plan. The TC suggests that John talk to Gary Larson (the Landscape Architect employed by Lexington Toyota), to work out something mutually agreeable in advance. 10. Watering: Chris said that two employees were watering 3 to 4 days per week this summer. He also noted that new employee hires are coming to fruition, and the Forestry Division should be up to five employees by mid - November. Chris and Joel are attending seminars and looking for other opportunities for training for the staff. 11. Other: Outreach was made to the Sidewalk Committee. Gerry, John, and Karen attended their last regular meeting and tentative plans were made to develop sidewalk /tree standards. A liaison has been appointed from the Sidewalk Committee, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, and she attended this meeting. Tags need to be made (by Lexington Graphics) for specific trees for a specific address. A work session was planned for Friday, October 18 at 9:00 a.m. at the DPW to cover this. There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe Next regular meeting: November 14, 2013, at 7:30 a.m. in the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125