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Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts 201 Bedford Street, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125 Minutes of October 9, 2014 Meeting Attendees: John Frey (Chairman), Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, Jim Wood, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Chris Filadoro (Supt Public Grounds) and Ginna Johnson (Liaison to the Tree Committee from the Planning Board). Karen Longeteig was appointed as scribe. 1. The meeting was opened at 7:30 a.m. Minutes of the September 11 meeting were th reviewed and approved as amended. 2. By-law Tree removal applications and activity: Chris Filadoro said that by and large, contractors are aware of and are cooperating with Bylaw regulations. He recently got a check for $9000 because the contractor could not replant on site all trees required by the Bylaw. 3. The committee adjourned briefly outside for a photo for the Towns Annual Report. 4. Progress on hiring contractor to complete Tree Inventory. Although Chris has contacted three companies, he has had no response. It was suggested he try Davey Tree Company. If there is no response by January, we should prepare advertisements to Clarke and/or Harvard students. The Cambridge City inventory was prepared by Harvard students. 5. Locations of two of the Tuliptrees from the Spring 2014 planting: Joel Custance reported through Chris that they had been planted in Westview Cemetery. 6. Lists of bareroot trees to order for Fall 2014 and Spring 2015: Jim Wood reported that the Schichtels Fall list will be repeated as the list for the Spring. 7. Screening behind Lexington Toyota: Chris and Joel visited the site and identified a few site problems with the replanting of seven White Spruce. In the end they found enough space between a large existing sewer line and the property line fence to plant 5 or 6, while still leaving room to mow around them to keep the Japanese Knotweed from overwhelming. They will find homes for the extra Spruce. Ginna Johnson suggested mowing Knotweed in August when it is blooming, as providing a better chance of killing it. 8. Nell Walkers Commemorative Grove: Matt Foti says we need to wait to plant after two hard frosts. Permission/advisement needs to go to the Town Recreation Committee, which has jurisdiction over Lincoln Park where the grove will be placed. Jim will prepare some language; Chris will bring it to the Recreation Committee. John Frey and Anne Senning met with Nell on site and placed a stake. Anne showed a mock-up of an interpretive sign to be used there, in the same style as existing park signage. The TC agreed to the title of Nell Walkers Vision. The wording will be circulated through DPW and the Rec Dept by John. 9. Care of significant trees: the very large European Beech in front of the Visitors Center is in trouble; 1/3 dead. Treatment would be expensive ($5-6K) and is of dubious utility, plus the dead parts would have to be trimmed out which would destroy the form and beauty of the tree. Chris will not rush to remove it; he may wait until next spring until it looks even more significantly dead. If the towns citizens perceive it as without hope, they will better understand need for removal of this beloved tree. The TC appointed a subcommittee of John, Karen, Ginna and Chris to take a look at the whole area and make a two-year planting plan to replace it. Karen will try to set a date convenient to all in late Fall or early Winter. It