2008-03-13-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Minutes, Meeting of March 13, 2008 meeting opened 1. The at 7:40 a.m. Attendees: John Frey, Chairman, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Jim Wood, Susan Solomon, David Pinsonneault, and Jeanne Krieger. Karen Longeteig was appointed scribe. Minutes of the February meeting were approved as presented. Items taken up, in agenda order: removal activity 2a. Tree under the Bylaw: 556 sites/434 closed; 1591 trees to be planted/1102 planted; 664 trees to be removed/494 removed. 37, Amend Tree Bylaw 2b. Article by requiring Selectmen to set a tree removal fee at greater than $0: Jeanne noted the Selectmen’s position: as a permitting fee, it has to go into the general fund. It will be cumbersome to collect. People are already paying through mitigation requirements, why make them pay twice? It may make for less compliance.” After some discussion, the Tree Committee approved the following position, with 1 abstention: “As fees collected by Article 37 would not go directly to support tree planting, the Tree Committee would therefore much prefer that you support Article 7 which will provide a reliable, consistent and more significant source of funds for trees.” Jim will call on John in Town Meeting to make this statement. John will call the chair of the Appropriations Committee to inform them of our position. Inventory interns 2c. . We have had 5 responses to our invitation to apply for summer internship, 2 grad students and 3 undergrads. We conducted a phone interview with one of the grad students. The committee decided to continue our connection with UEI Boston, even though their support last summer was a little limited. It costs us $1000 but adds to credibility and regional cooperation, plus the loan of hand-held computers. Writers of support letters for the grant application should comply by April 25 for a May 1 deadline. Gerry will ask Friends of Trees to volunteer for inventory work at the beginning of the season, before the interns come on board. th Nursery planting date 2d. Tree – has been set for Saturday, April 26. Dave’s final order (species list) is:Kentucky Coffeetree – 20; Tuliptree – 20; Autumn Spire Red Maple – 10; October Glory Red Maple – 10; Red Sunset Red Maple – 10; Scarlet Oak – 10; Northern Red Oak – 10; Shumard Oak – 10; Japanese Tree Lilac ‘Ivory Silk’ – 20; Lace Bark Elm - ? planting priorities 2e. Street tree : postponed until next meeting. Tree removed near Hancock Church 2f. : Dave reported that it was a hazard tree. Replacement: Matt Foti wants to donate another tree to the Town, and Dave suggested to him that the Hancock Church site would be ideal as there is a good-sized planting strip (berm) there. Article 7, Appropriate for Street Trees 3. . Gerry reported that he, John and Karen had made a presentation to the Appropriation Committee that seemed to be well-received. The Article will be th taken up on or after March 26 (i.e., not the first night).