2003-09-11-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Town Tree Committee Lexington, Massachusetts September 11, 2003 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting opened at 7:30 a.m. Attending were John Frey, David Pinsonneault, Jim Wood, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Karen Longeteig, and Jeanne Krieger. The following agenda items were discussed, not in this chronological order. 1. In Susan Solomon’s forewarned absence, Karen Longeteig volunteered to take minutes. th 2. The minutes of the previous meeting on August 14 were reviewed and approved, as corrected by John Frey and Nell Walker with information developed after the meeting: Item 6 -- There were 20 trees (not 21) planted at the Fletcher Ave site, at a cost of $538 per tree (not $238). Item 7, the Kirk Fund is for both street trees, fitness path, and for Lincoln Park (not Lincoln St./Worthen Rd.) 3. David reported that under the By-Law, to date there have been 128 cases, from which 186 trees were removed, 383 trees required for planting, and 59 of the cases closed. He said he needs to have the Manual published to aid in this work, although some people are seeking out the draft on their own, or seeking oral guidance, and adjusting building plans to conform. 4. We have informally learned that the grant for printing the Tree Manual has been approved by the DEM, but the paperwork has not yet appeared on David’s desk. In other discussion, Jim, our grant writer, requested each of us to minutely record the hours spent or to be spent on tree manual work, to accurately reflect the 90 hours of drafting and 15 hours of typing that our grant request specified. He also asked if there are any additions proposed to the work already outlined. Karen suggested that images of our list of recommended trees be put up on the web, to accompany the manual when it is published on the web. Jim said that we should try a dry run of these images with the Town Webmaster, who has a newly funded position. Jeanne said that the finished draft should be presented to the Selectmen for approval. Anne suggested adding this st line to the Manual: “1 edition. Subject to periodic revision as warranted.” 5. No further discussion of Karen Longeteig and Nell Walker’s reappointment status. 6. Depot Square: David reported that the contractor has been notified to replace two dead or dying trees before the end of this season. Jim suggested that we be firmer, and write the contractor, Marchese, that we expect th the work to be done by 30 September, failing which we will decline to offer further work to this company. The committee and David agreed that this should be done. 7. 7. Fletcher Ave: David explained that the original grant proposal was based on DPW doing some of the planting work, but with reductions in staff, he was not able to do this, so the contractor, Matt Foti, did the planting. Foti was already under contract for the Article 14 work (a Town appropriation), and he was the only bidder out of four, so DPW just went ahead with him. Foti and Pinsonneault felt that the Fletcher Ave site was the most visible. The State (grantor) was consulted and agreed, so they went ahead with 20 trees at Fletcher Ave. The last one was dropped as it went over the budget. He said that the Town put in $5600 worth of money or labor, and the State was satisfied. Jim felt that for a grant of 31 trees, we ought to put in 31 trees. Discussion ensued on the unit pricing of Foti’s contract, which was thought to be on the high side, and on other ways to reduce cost of planting trees (smaller trees planted by independent labor; or buying trees in New Hampshire at lower cost). Jeanne confirmed that DPW has had reduction in staff; David iterated the loss of one full time forester in December and the inability to hire 3 usual seasonal workers this spring. David will still try to get 10 trees planted at Belfry Hill at some point, but it will be here and there. 8. Rindge Ave: David said they are planning a spring planting of a donated Red Oak at Rindge Ave Park, and that further, the Town of Arlington plans to donate a tree if we plant it, to replace a large dead one they removed. The East Lexington Community Association (ELCA) has approved a donation. John suggested that the new Friends of Rindge Park, working together with the Tree Committee and Dave P., should apply for grant money from Mass Releaf Fund. 9. Brian Gilbert’s farewell is Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the Highway Garage. Now there are only two Supervisors to run four departments, and there are plans to rehire only one person.