2008-12-04-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee December 4, 2008 In attendance at the meeting: John Frey, Chair; Members: Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden; Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Jim Wood. 1 .Jewel Kuljian appointed as scribe and minutes of November 13, approved, as amended. 2. David Pinsonneault's agenda: a) Tree removal applications and activity: 623 sites visited/478 closed, 764 to remove/533 removed, 1844 to be planted/1,171 planted, $6,030 collected in fees which goes to the General Fund (from August 4, 2008). b) Belfry Hill Norway Maple removal: John and Anne met with Mr. Joe Nardelli of Foti Landscape and Tree Service. The Norway Maples will be cut down on Tuesday, December 9 and Thursday December 11. The abutters should be notified. Two substantial trees are anchored in the fence on the property and David will look at them to evaluate the situation. c) Fall Tree Planting: All of the thirty-five street trees have been planted. About $14,000 has been spent to date with $10,000 remaining for the spring planting. An extensive record has been kept of this fall planting at each stage of the process. d) Tree City USA application: David reported that the application has already been filed; postmark deadline is December 1. e) Tree Nursery: More plastic root protectors have been ordered. Jim will install them on the trees as soon as they arrive. Jim and David will meet to discuss issues pertaining to the Nursery next week. f) Tree Manual: The committee met on Tuesday, December 2 to review the graphics. At this meeting today Nell clarified the “setback graphics” with David and spoke about the other graphics. Once the Manual is complete 500 copies will be printed. Anne will handle this as well as taking the necessary steps to have the printing done at Lexington Graphics. g) Bylaw protection for large specimen trees per P. Mehr's email: The Committee decided, after discussion about a range of approaches, to start by attempting to increase public awareness of the value of the very large trees on private property through publicity in the Lexington Minuteman and Colonial Times. Anne suggested that a group of photos of large trees along with inviting people to come forth to speak about trees on their property as one way to approach this awareness. January and/or February may be a time for the Committee to follow up on this idea. h) Asian Longhorn Beetle: Jim suggested that something on this topic be included in the property tax bills. David said he will speak to Eric Seaborn of the DCR about this suggestion. He also said that Mass. Arborists have been participating in a training sessions on the beetle. He would like his staff to go out to Worcester to participate in the work that is being done there to contain the spread of this blight, especially with Maple trees. i) Carl Valente letter responding to our budget letter to Selectmen: David reported that he had