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Minutes Oct. 12, 2006 Lexington Tree Committee Lexington, MA Present: John Frey/Chair; Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Nell Walker/ Scribe; Jeanne Krieger/Selectman liason Visitors: Jane Beswick, Seija Halva, Mary Ann McCall-Taylor/Planning Dept ; Minona Heaviland/Tufts student; Absent: Jim Wood, David Pinsonneault/Supt. of Public Grounds. 1. Nell Walker was appointed Scribe. The minutes of Sept.14 were accepted. At the Strategy Subcommittee’s Aug. 17 meeting the wish list was sorted into actionable items. An auxiliary group Friends of Trees was recommended. These minutes were approved as modified. 2. (11.) After interviewing three applicants, the Committee voted to recommend that Markus Pinney be appointed by the Selectmen as a member. He will replace Jim Jones, who resigned last month. 3. Planning Department Director Maryann McCall-Taylor outlined her Board’s concerns regarding jurisdiction and inconsistencies vis a vis the Tree Committee. A subcommittee of A. Senning, K. Longetieg and N. Walker will address (1) corrections to Sec.IV.A.3 of the tree Management Manual, (2) proposed tree bylaw amendments and (3) clarification of requirements for a site plan to protect trees under sec. 120-8 of the Tree Bylaw and/or under the appropriate sections of the Zoning Bylaw. In addition the Board of Appeals needs to adopt #3 above. 4. Tree statistics- postponed until the Nov. 9 regular meeting. 5. The Kathy Yates anodized black plaque with two springs and two stainless steel screws were shown to the group. It will be affixed to the Princeton Elm at Tower Park. It is the first Commemorative Tree. 6. 7.Planning and Educational Grant progress: On Oct. 18 D. Pinsonneault will be the last speaker in the “Six Views of the Urban Forest” lecture series which started in January. In reviewing the tapes of the last session, speaker mikes and lighting could be improved. Nell reported on publicity. All tapes will be combined in a single CD available in Cary Library. Who will organize this? A. Senning report on the fall inventory: LABB students have volunteered and their paper inventory of 8 trees at the High School is a public relations success. Because of problems with software AND the operating system a paper backup copy will be used for one layer of inventory (tree condition I) in the field. It can be translated to the OS this winter. The new iPac works well in the other layers. 8. Ideas for budgeted planting projects - 2008. Agreed that project should be in the CBD, should use structural soil and work in coordination with the Sidewalk Committee. It was also affirmed that street repaving policy should include sidewalk construction similar to Cornell structural soil standards, especially in commercial districts. 9. A. Senning and J. Wood drafted a letter to the Selectmen regarding the disposition of Commemorative Tree funds. The proposal sets aside $500 of the $1500 fee to the Trustees of Public Trusts to ensure tree replacement. A subcommittee (G. Paul, S. Solomon, A. Senning and J. Wood) will look into further refinements. There is a need to define “in perpetuity” (the Commemorative Book) and “lifelong maintenance” (the Tree). 10. Tree Farm-Nursery status report postponed to next meeting. 11. See item #2 12. CVS and Bikeway Parking Area: Problems have arisen (re mulching and weed barriers) because the Tree Committee chair did not receive the complete plan. When the Town issues a contract for bid the work should be consistent with the Tree Manual. 13. Two Tree Talk articles ready for printing: How to Select a Tree and Asiatic Bittersweet. In the wings: Winter Moth and Tree Inventory. Next regular meeting November 9, 2006 7:30 a.m. in Room 111