2015-01-08-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts 201 Bedford Street, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125 Minutes, Meeting of January 8, 2015 Attendees: John Frey (Chairman), Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Jim Wood Anne Senning, Chris Filadoro, (Superintendant of Public Grounds), Nancy Sofen (potential new member). Absent: Jewel Kuljian. Gerry Paul took his turn as scribe. 1. Minutes of the December 11, 2014 meeting were approved as amended. . 2. Tree removal activity – no update. 3. Town Tree Inventory plan – Chris has made initial contact with Bartlett tree service, Save-a- tree and Matt Foti. He will be meeting with these companies to determine the next step. 4. Bare root tree selection for Spring planting – Jim has distributed lists of available trees from Douglas Tallamy Bailey’s and Schichtel's and the recommendations of . He requested that committee members email him with their suggestions by Jan. 22. 5. Amit Roy, the homeowner at 18 Homestead St, joined us for this item. He is requesting the removal of a large White Pine tree in the Town right of way because sap from the tree falls on his cars. After discussion, tree Committee members did not agree to remove their previous objections to removing the tree. Members of the committee did suggest several approaches he might take to solve the problem: extending his driveway further toward the rear of the house, parking on the street when allowed, car covers, building a car port. Considering the issue of requests for removal of Town trees more generally, Gerry agreed to draft a policy statement for discussion by the Committee at a future meeting. 6. Members reported on the success of the celebration for Nell Walker and thanked Anne for her work in preparing and serving as master of ceremonies for the event and thanked Chris for arranging for the use of the DPW facility and refreshments. 7. Visitor center tree planting plan – Karen will continue work on this when the weather allows (determining current tree locations, etc). 8. Sidewalk replacement policy – Gerry reported that he spoke to Marc Valenti who indicated that he had raised the issue with Dave Pinnsoneault and Bill Hadley and was waiting for feedback. Gerry will follow up again with Marc. 9. Chris reported that the analysis of trees planned to be removed for construction of the new Concord Ave. sidewalk was complete and public hearings will begin shortly. The analysis by Matt Foti indicated that there were 18 hazard trees and 78 non-hazard trees planned for removal. 10. Anne will work with Dave Pinnsoneault to develop text for the Tree Manual for procedures for disposal of infected /diseased trees. 11. At the end of the meeting, the members present unanimously asked Nancy Sofen to consider applying for the vacant seat on the Committee. Next regular meeting: February 12, 7:30 a.m. at DPW.