HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-13-TREE-min Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee Meeting
August 13, 2020 7:30 am
Virtual Meeting per Governer Baker's Order
Attending: Gerry Paul (chair), Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden), Jim Woods, Pat Moyer, Mark
Connor, Gloria Bloom, Mark Sandeen (Select Board Liaison), Nancy Sofen,
Guests: Marty Kvaal (prospective member), Charlie Wyman, Rick Reibstein, Marcia Gens
(Sustainable Lexington).
1. Nancy Sofen was appointed as scribe. Minutes of the committee's June 10 and July 9
meetings were approved with a correction to the July 9 minutes: Dave Pinsonneault's
comments about Fall 2019 planting (item 3) should read Grove Street rather than Grant
Street.
2. Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 planting lists are attached (Addendum 1). Only a few
replacement trees were planted this spring. Chris Filadoro explained that non-native
Zelkova was purchased after back and forth with Schichtel's when other species were
not available. They will avoid planting trees that are not on the Tree Committee's
recommended planting list in the future.
3. Fall 2020 planting order bid will go out next week.
4. Tree bylaw removal activity is attached (Addendum 2).
5. Bid documents to finish the Tree Inventory go out in a week. This will cover the final 3-4
precincts, and then as much as the bikeway as possible. The distance from the bikeway
covered still needs to be determined. How much gets done depends on the number of
trees, as funding is fixed and the contractor charges a per-tree cost.
The inventory covers streets only; no parks, schools or conservation areas at this time.
The town is waiting until it is all done before integrating the data with town GIS.
6. Chris gave David Williams contact information for someone in the finance office, to
facilitate the transfer of previously approved funds from the Tree Fund to the Granite
Forest Fund. He does not know whether they have connected.
7. One tree was saved and many new ones planted at the new track. Newly planted trees
are maintained and warrantied by the contractor for one year, then the DPW takes over.
The planting beds and lawn areas are heavily irrigated.
8. Cotting School has paid $16,800 to the Tree Fund for removal of the oak at 497 Concord
Ave. Chris offered abutters the opportunity to ask for trees. Trees planted from this
money will be added to the fall and spring planting numbers. It typically costs $500-600
per tree to purchase and plant. Chris is considering combining the fall 2020 and spring
2021 contracts to get a lower per-tree price.
9. The state has not yet announced MVP grant recipients (Tree Canopy Assessment).
10. Chris reports that the Department of Public Facilities is putting solar canopies in
municipal parking lots, including 7 schools: Lexington Children's Place, Harrington,
Bridge, Bowman, Fiske, Clarke and Diamond. Some trees were to be moved
(Harrington) and others removed to accommodate the canopies, which are under
construction, and $72,000 was given to the Tree Fund for new plantings. The DPF will
mark locations and DPW will plant the trees. These canopies were approved by the
School Committee and Select Board, did not require the usual public process for town
tree removals. The School Committee did voice concerns about tree removal, while the
Select Board did not discuss trees. The DPW was informed after decisions were made.
Chris suggests that the Tree Committee reach out to the DPF.
11. Sustainable Lexington would like to support the work of the Tree Committee. They have
scheduled a virtual event at Cary Library for October 6, featuring speakers Robert
O'Connor (long-time state Land Use Policy Director) giving an overview of tree retention
and Bill Moomaw (Nobel laureate for climate change work) who will present his new
research on the significance of older trees are for carbon capture, biodiversity and more.
Tree Committee members should work on publicizing this event.
The state is trying to provide incentives in favor or burning trees for energy, arguing that
trees are a renewable resource. Sustainable Lexington and the Select Board wrote in
opposition to this legislation; SL urges the TC to take stands on issues that affect the
whole state.
12. Revisiting Center Streetscapes landscape plan. The sense of the committee is that we
did not have the full background (Ad Hoc Committee report, design intent, who selected
trees and why, etc.) before our prior vote to approve the landscape plan presented by
the Beta Group. We voiced concerns then and continue to be concerned by the choice
of Zelkova, a non-native tree with no ecological value in the landscape, as a dominant
tree in this plan. Since that vote the committee has also become more aware of the
adverse health effects resulting from planting only male trees in public gathering spaces
such as schools, parks, and town centers. This plan uses male honeylocust for the
majority of trees planted. The plan is currently before the Historic Districts Commission.
The committee voted to write a letter to the HDC, John Livsey, and Beta Group stating
that we would like to reconsider our approval. The committee's current position is that
we would support a monoculture of lindens (which have the desired form, are native and
have perfect flowers and therefore do not release large amounts of pollen) on the north
side of the commercial area. We would like to see native trees with lower allergenicity
than those currently specified in other areas of the center. Mark Connor and Nancy are
to draft the letter.
13. Pat spoke with Anne Senning, who feels strongly that the 4t" edition of the Tree
Management Manual should be dedicated Nell Walker. Anne did not object to adding a
dedication to John Frey but in an email after the meeting ended did not want to be
included herself in the dedications. Although the committee would like to honor all 3, we
also want to respect Anne's wishes. Pat and Nancy will craft a new page for John and
will visit Anne with the final version.
14. Information Initiatives Subcommittee. See Addendum 3 to these minutes for a
presentation of their suggestions to use rules and regulations to advance change without
the need for a bylaw amendment. These notes capture the discussion about the
presentation.
Mark Sandeen defined the following:
Bylaws are enacted by Town Meeting, reviewed by the state Attorney General, and then
have the force of law.
Rules and Policies are adopted by the Select Board and we hold ourselves accountable
to follow those.
Regulations are how the town staff runs things.
A moratorium [on tree removals] would need to be recommended by the Select Board,
voted by Town Meeting, and then allowed by the Attorney General for a period of 1-2
years.
On the Bylaws Sites page, it should be noted that trees should be identified by whether
or not they are in the setback.
On the Private Sites page, the tree assessment might include whether pruning would be
an alternative, and there should be an emergency exemption for storm cleanup.
On the Other Ideas page, who would answer the questions? Perhaps a Tree Committee
member. And outside champion (gadfly) might be TC members, who are not restricted
from also participating in advocacy groups (`Friends of Trees' or similarlar). The
committee agreed that it is premature to ask for a moratorium, but it was noted that if
some outsider proposed it, the TC's permit proposals would look very moderate in
comparison.
The group plans to meet with Chris and Dave Pinsonneault, and also to get information
from Julie Krakauer in IT, who implements the permit system. The meeting is tentatively
set for next Thursday. They will then talk to the Town Manager before going to the
Select Board for approval. The TC supports implementing all new permitting
simultaneously and would delay all if there were concerns delaying implementation of
one, rather than adopting them piecemeal.
15. Marty has been taking photos before (when possible, or obtaining from Google
Streetview) and after clearcutting or removal of significant trees. It was suggested that
she also take photos of the sites when new construction and planting is complete. She'd
like others to send suggested sites to her. She can find some on the bylaws removals
list, and citizen complaints should be forwarded to her. Pat will help take photos. These
are a powerful tool when making a case for stricter tree removal policies.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sofen
Addendum 1: Fail Tree Planting 2019
9 Tufts rd 1 Cladrastis Kentukea
3 Springdale 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair(near driveway)
3 Springdale 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera (corner of lot)
3 Springdale 1 Cladrastis Kentukea (side yard)
20 Douglas 1 Malus 'Honeycrisp'
18 Suzanne rd 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
18 Suzanne rd 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
24 Suzanne rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
24 Suzanne rd 1 Quercus Bicolor(near hydrant)
Across from 7 Brent rd 1 Quercus Bicolor(near hydrant)
Across from 7 Brent rd 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase' (middle)
Across from 7 Brent rd 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
Across from 5 Brent rd 1 Quercus Bicolor(right)
Across from 5 Brent rd 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
1960 Mass Ave 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase' (near driveway)
1960 Mass Av 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair(near fire hydrant)
15 Thoreau rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair(Left)
15 Thoreau rd 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
2 Northgate rd 1 Quercus bicolor(in the Island)
16 Turning Mill rd 1 Cladrastris Kentukea (right of the driveway)
16 Turning Mill rd 1 Quercus Bicolor(Left)
32 Partridge rd 1 Cladrastris Kentukea
3 Partridge rd (Across the rd) 1 Quercus Bicolor(Left)
3 Partridge rd (Across the rd) 1 Cladrastris Kentukea (middle)
3 Partridge rd (Across the rd) 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair(Right)
10 Coach rd 1 Cladrastris Kentukea (Left)
10 Coach rd 1 Quercus Bicolor(right-side by driveway)
10 Hickory st (Across the st.) 1 Quercus Bicolor
10 Hickory st (Across the st.) 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
5 Hickory st 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
Fiske School (main entrance) 1 Quercus Bicolor(walking path to basketball court)
Fiske School (main entrance) 1 Cladrastris Kentukea (middle/walking path to -
Basketball court)
Fiske School (main entrance) 1 Quercus Bicolor(walking path to basketball court)
Park Drive 2 Cladrastris Kentukea (middle on both side)
Park Drive 2 Liriodendron Tulipifera (one on each side)
Park Drive 2 Quercus Bicolor(one on each side)
Middleby Rd (grass strip) 1 Quercus bicolor
26 Hathaway rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
24 Hathaway rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair(near driveway)
24 Hathaway rd 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera (middle)
24 Hathaway rd 1 Cladastris Kentukea (Left)
22 Hathaway rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
20 Hathaway rd 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera (near driveway)
20 Hathaway rd 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
14 Hathaway rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
14 Hathaway rd 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
12 Hathaway rd 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
2 Sedge rd (across st) 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
2 Sedge rd (across st) 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase' (middle)
2 Sedge rd (across st) 1 Liriodendron Tuliipifera
Replacer'nent Trees
Tower park 1 Quercus Bicolor
1756 Mass Ave 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
1776 Mass Ave 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
1798 Mass Ave 1 Zelkova 'Green Vase'
Park Drive @ Muzzy st 1 Quercus Bicolor
287 Waltham st 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
Harrington School 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
(Playground)
Harrington school 1 Quercus Bicolor
(Main entrance Island)
Harington School 1 Aesculus Ft. Mcnair
(Next to School)
Harrington School 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
(Main Entrance)
471 Waltham st 1 Cladrastis Kentukea
Bowman School (entrance) 1 Quercus Bicolor
Lincoln st Fields (entrance) 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera
8 Douglas rd 1 Quercus bicolor
53 Webb st 1 Cladrastris Kentukea
Fisk School (walking path) 1 Cladrastris Kentukea (closer to baseball field)
Fisk School (walking path) 1 Liriodendron Tilipifera (middle)
Fisk School (walking path) 1 Liriodendron Tulipifera (closest to playground)
Fisk school 1 Cladrastrs Kentukea (basketball court)
Westview Cemetery 1 Cladrastris Kentukea
Westview Cemetery 1 Quercus Bicolor
201 Bedford st 1 Malus Dom. 'Honeycrisp'
201 Bedford st 2 Malus Dom. 'Red Macintosh
Addendum 2: Tree Bylaw Activity
Address Site# Trees Removed Inches Removed 3"Trees
to replant
101 Simonds Road 1370 0 0 0
24 Wilson 1371 0 0 0
289 Emerson Road 1372 0 0 0
19 Locke Lane 1373 0 0 0
36 Ledgelawn Ave. 1374 5 70 23
2 Cushing Street 1375 3 58 19
2287 Mass Ave. 1376 1 6 2
198 Bedford Street 1377 0 0 0
5 Juniper Place 1378 2 24 8
10 Springdale Road 1379 0 0 0
24 Pine Knoll Road 1380 0 0 0
18 Cooke Road 1381 0 0 0
24 Roosevelt Road 1382 0 0 0
546 Lowell Street 1383 8 98 33
30 Ewell Ave. 1384 0 0 0
494 Lowell Street 1385 1 14 5
12 Bates Road 1386 2 18 6
114 Bow Street 1387 3 40 13
8 Diana Lane 1388 1 15 5
29 Dawes Road 1389 0 0 0
80 Middle Street 1390 5 84 28
16 Grapevine Ave. 1391 0 0 0
Waltham Street 1392 0 0 0
60-62 Woburn Street 1393 0 0 0
7 Graham Road 1394 5 62 21
9 Dunham Street 1395 0 0 0
16 Longfellow Road 1396 0 0 0
117-119 Holland Street 1397 0 0 0
75 Lowell Street 1398 0 0 0
2 Penny Lane 1399 6 62 21
6 Winding Road 1400 12 140 46
38 Summit Road 1401 0 0 0
38 Cedar Street 1402 0 0 0
11 Cushing Street 1403 0 0 0
12 Payson Street 1404 0 0 0
5 Juniper Place 1405 0 0 0
82 Spring Street 1406 3 50 17
Sherburne Road 1407 6 111 37
11 Carley Road 1408 0 0 0
56 Blossomcrest Road Lot
A 1409 4 61 20
56 Blossomcrest Road Lot
B 1410 4 32 10
130 East Street 1411 10 168 56
18 Hathaway Road 1412 0 0 0
193 Bedford Street 1413 0 0 0
14 Woodcliffe Road 1414 7 121 40
11 Sherburne Road 1415 4 36 12
106 Laconia Street 1416 0 0 0
6 School Street 1417 1 7 2
55 Bridge Street 1418 0 0 0
21 Suzanne Road 1419 0 0 0
97 Reed Street 1420 0 0 0
24 Columbus Street 1421 1 16 5
14 Colony road 1422 2 50 17
31 Independence Ave 1423 4 50 17
20 Hill Street 1424 0 0 0
0 Washington Street 1425 3 38 13
32 Elliot Road 1426 6 78 26
7 Thoreau Road 1427 0 0 0
18 Larchmont Lane 1428 0 0 0
32 Middle Street 1429 1 12 4
290 Emerson Road 1430 3 60 20
98 Spring Street 1431 0 0 0
8 Wilson Road 1432 0 0 0
5 Childs Road 1433 3 50 17
15 Hillcrest Ave 1434 0 0 0
15 Flintlock Road 1435 0 0 0
377 Lincoln Street 1436 0 0 0
21 Revere Street 1437 0 0 0
97-97 Bedford Street 1438 0 0 0
101 Bedford Street 1439 0 0 0
29 Bridge Street 1440 0 0 0
68 Freemont Street 1441 8 153 51
51 Bertwell 1442 1 16 5
7 Hawthorne Road 1443 0 0 0
66 Hillcrest Ave. 1444 0 0 0
25 Middle Street 1445 0 0 0
25 Estabrook Road 1446 0 0 0
3 Westwood Road 1447 0 0 0
125 Laconia Street 1448 5 78 26
20 Fairbanks Road 1449 0 0 0
39 Woodcliffe Road 1450 2 32 10
21 Wheeler Road 1451 5 69 23
53-55 Watertown Street 1452 3 43 15
0 Rawson Ave 1453 0 0 0
9 Hilltop Ave. 1454 0 0 0
14 Colony road 1455 1 34 11
3 Patterson Road 1456 0 0 0
17 Saddleclub Road 1457 0 0 0
25 Thoreau Road 1458 0 0 0
25 Wyman Road 1459 2 24 8
249 Lowell Street 1460 0 0 0
32 Fletcher Ave 1461 0 0 0
4 Hunt Road 1462 0 0 0
295 Woburn Street 1463 0 0 0
140 Marrett Road 1464 0 0 0
17 Linmoor Terr. 1465 0 0 0
21 Oakland Street 1456 0 0 0
24 Donald Street 1457 0 0 0
9 Battlegreen Road 1458 0 0 0
31 Ewell Ave 1459 0 0 0
115 Grove Street 1460 0 0 0
57 Liberty Ave 1461 0 0 0
840 Emerson Gardens 1462 0 0 0
57 Woburn Street 1463 0 0 0
Addendum : Tree Committee/ Sustainable Lexington Subgroup progress
• Started out talking about changes to the tree bylaw
—Town trees — Bylaw sites — Private Sites
• Quickly realized we need focus on visibility/information/"think before
cutting"
• New ViewPoint Cloud permit system opens up a number of possibilities
• If possible make changes via "rules and regulations" vs bylaw change
Town Trees
(entry by applicant of tree locations, sizes, species, reasons for
removal)
&t lbo it i s[ if hazard claimed
• Professional appraisal if objections
Bylaw sites
11= it .....ir(.-[Tiovae: l sr .,iirv(.-y- entry by applicant in permit system of:
—tree sizes, species for all trees on site
—trees to be removed with reasons specified
II:)ostr ir(.-iTiovae: l sr .,iirv(.",y - entry by applicant in permit system of all remaining trees
• Can be checked/updated by Tree Warden
• Benefits:
— Better, more granular information
—Automatic calculation of required mitigation — Lightens load on tree warden
Private Sites
t�o [-(.",�iTiov(.", &,"iy >12" o,-i s�t�(:.-. E ri t.ry IID y
of sIz(:.-, sp(.-(.J(.-s &,-id r4'..".aso,-i for [-(.-iTiovaL
• Applicant must obtain ass(:.",ssiTii(:.",ii,"it: by a certified arborist
• Applicant must submit approved permit to tree removal company before
tree can be removed.
• Initial focus on:
— information collection — do removals justify a bylaw change
— "think before cutting"
• Recognize we may not get 100% compliance
Otherideas
C:offlplahrit: / question system (on Town Tree Web Page)
• Need an o ..ftskJe (as was done for Center Streetscape)
• Anyone know a awy(.- to provide opinions to us.
• Tree cutting iiTioraWrk.,iirT7i