2008-02-14-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Minutes, Meeting of February 14, 2008 meeting opened 1. The at 7:35 a.m. Attending were John Frey, Chairman, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, David Pinsonneault, DPW Tree Warden, and Jeanne Krieger, Selectmen Liaison. Patrick Mehr attended as a guest. Karen Longeteig was appointed scribe, and the minutes of the January meeting were approved as corrected. (Corrections: add Nell Walker’s name to list of January attendees, and correct the figure for “trees to be planted” to 1102.) Article 37 – AMEND TREE BYLAW. 2b. Guest Patrick Mehr discussed this citizen article dealing with application fees for tree removals. Patrick said his proposal reflects a review of 6 ¼ years of data, and David’s estimate that it costs between $12,000 and $20,000 per year to administer. The Town Building Permit form has not been updated since 1985, but the new Building Inspector Gary Rhodes is said to be amenable to adding a section covering tree removal, using our designated multiplier to set the fee. Patrick’s reason for proposing this amendment is (1) to recoup costs of administration and (2) to possibly save trees by using a permitting fee as a disincentive to removing. Patrick asked the Tree Committee to support this article in Town Meeting. David said he has worked hard with builders to get their buy-in to save trees. He feels that presenting the amendment as a disincentive (a punishment) would be counterproductive, but that it might be more acceptable if presented as a “method to recoup costs.” Jeanne said that since 2001 the Selectmen have chosen not to have a fee (i.e., it is set at $0) because they felt that these costs are already covered by the expensive building permit. Mitigation costs are more significant as a deterrent, e.g., for a 36” tree, mitigation could be up to $3000, whereas if the fee were set at $10 / inch DBH, the removal fee would only be $300. This amendment, if passed, would force the Selectmen to set a fee. It was noted that the monies collected would be a “fee for service”; they would not be added to the Lexington Tree Fund, but would go into general Town coffers. Therefore Gerry felt that the Tree Committee should take “no position”, as it doesn’t directly affect us. Two members of the committee, Jim Wood and Markus Pinney, were absent, so a formal position on the matter was postponed until they could be polled. However, a straw vote was taken. Results: “Should there be a fee?” Approved 4 ayes and 1 abstention. “Should the fee be set per tree, as a flat fee, or pro-rated per inch of DBH?” A pro-rated fee approved, 4 ayes and 1 abstention. “Should the fee be $5 or $10 per inch DBH?” No consensus; two votes for $5, two votes for $10, and 1 abstention. Other items taken up, in agenda order: Tree removal activity 2a. under the Bylaw: 552 sites/433 closed; 1573 trees to be planted/1102 planted; 658 trees to be removed/488 removed. Inventory 2c. . Anne has sent out a flyer seeking interns for summer 2008 to several colleges. The grant to fund this is still in the works. Tree City USA sign locations 2d. : Pursuant to the analysis sent in Karen’s email, the Tree Committee approved six locations for the signs already obtained. All signs to be placed so they are read by people going towards the Center.