2007-10-11-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Tree Committee Meeting October 11, 2007 Present were: David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden; Jeanne Kreiger, Selectman Liaison. Committee members: John Frey, Chairman; Karen Longeteig, Markus Pinney, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nell Walker. Visitor: Barbara Kent 1.Nell Walker was appointed scribe. The minutes of Sept. 13, 2007 were approved with one change. 2. Tree Warden’s agenda items and By-law report: 2a. David Pinsonneault commented that due to the recent approval of the by-law it is worthwhile to run an article (particularly for developers) in the Minuteman noting the changes recently approved by the AG. The Town Counsel should get a draft of this announcement article. By-law report: 532 sites visited, 425 closed. Total applications for tree removal 638, with 482 trees removed. Total trees to plant 1,520, with 1,098 planted. 2b. Inventory: Anne S. reported that a new computer (Dell) replaces the one stolen last month. It is dedicated to the Tree Committee use and files are in the process of being transferred from backup. It will be kept in secure location at the White House along with two existing handheld computers. Another handheld is on order. Pinsonneault commented that we have produced a “live inventory”, not one which sits on a shelf. He will be using the results. Documentation by the summer interns permit the input of new data. For instance, with the GIS link ( although GIS is not quite all there yet), trees in poor condition can be located and coordinated with the work order system. John said we should report this to the Selectmen as one of the benefits of the inventory. 2c. Belfry Hill CPA grant status: Anne S. reported that we have a go signal for a CPA grant application, but that it be based on a tree restoration program emphasizing the removal of invasive trees and shrubs (Norway Maples especially) and installation of sapling native species. Jeanne K. suggested that Anne contact Susan Bennet (Historical Society Exec Director) to explore the historical angle. Nov. 1 is the deadline for the application. 2e. A by -product of this summer’s inventory is a need to set up a system to handle outside requests for inventory info, since one intern (Hattis) wants the data for a research program. The committee voted unanimously to set up a process for users’ “research”. It should include a questionnaire about the purpose of the research, an OK from the Tree Com, and their signature promising us a copy of their report. 2f. John reported that 2 Elms and a Maple will be planted by DPW in E. Lexington by the end of the month. Also the Garden Club will fund the planting of three trees this fall: 2 on the Belfry land along Clarke St. and one at Cary Library. Three more (Sourwoods)