2002-06-13-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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TOWN OF LEXINGTON TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JUNE 13, 2002 Present at the meeting were Chairman Frey, Mazerall, Walker, Pinsonneault, and Longeteig. It was noted that four members make a quorum. Members Solomon and Griscom were out of town, Wood was temporarily disabled following an accident, and ad-hoc member Krieger had a conflicting meeting. The meeting followed the agenda, distributed beforehand, and was called to order at 07:45. th 1. Minutes of meeting of May 9 approved. 2. Dave Pinsonneault reported that Matthew Foti’s firm was low bidder on the next round of tree planting, and has won the contract. Foti will plant some trees in the next two weeks, possibly waiting until fall for the rest. There is $24,000 left in tree planting account, which will be spent in its entirety. Pinsonneault also gave committee a list of new trees recently planted, which the committee reviewed. Other Miscellaneous Tree Notes: Nell Walker reported that 300 mature trees will be taken down in flight path of Hanscom airfield. The only way Lexington Tree By-Law rules could govern any of these trees would be if they were located in public right-of-way. Pinsonneault noted that the PWD had provided the labor for planting the Arbor Day elm tree in Hastings Park; the Lexington Field & Garden Club bought the tree. The PWD also planted some privately donated trees in Westview Cemetery, and transplanted a yellowwood and a dogwood from in front of Cary Library (which is undergoing renovations) to Westview. The new trees planted in the renovated Depot Square look very good, committee members agreed. There should be an article in the Minuteman to publicize them. Walker and Karen Longeteig agreed to contact the designer, Ginna Johnson, and prepare an article. Paul Mazerall commented on the good qualities of the American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and asked if it was being planted; Pinsonneault said he was specifying it for future contracts. Walker noted they are growing wild/natively in the Meagherville section of town. 3. Pinsonneault presented a 3-page list of the tree by-law calls he had received; it was reviewed. 4. Mass Re-Leaf Grant – John Frey, Jim Wood and Dave Pinsonneault have presented the application for the grant, covering plantings in front of the School Administration Building and on Belfry Hill. Frey thinks we will probably get something, but will know only in late June. It would be for fall planting. In addition, NSTAR (electric company) will give us $1500 in July for tree planting in a goodwill gesture. It was noted that while NSTAR and the cable companies prune the trees under the cables, the Town is responsible for the “other” side of the street and around streetlights. 5. Frey displayed the company presentation/brochure from Davey Tree in Ohio, for completing and managing the Tree Inventory. Pinsonneault will have this material copied for each member of the committee to study. Davey Tree’s price came out to @ $1.60 to $5.00 per tree. ARCT's prices ranged from $3.00 to $5.00, Karen Doherty of Trees New England quoted $4.00 to $5.00 and David Hawkins of Urban Forestry Solutions said $2.50 to $10.00. The cost of Lexington’s inventory could be around $30,000, and will have to go out to bid. It was felt that we should begin making our case now, for next year’s budget. Another inventory was completed by Lexington High School freshmen, under guidance from Walker and others. They inventoried the invasive species on and around school grounds, and prepared a map and a brochure on