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• In a prior Tree Committee meeting we discussed the apparent shortfall of tree removal <br /> permit fees collected from 2017-2020, when the inches of protected trees removed <br /> reported by the Tree Warden was compared to the amounts reported received by the <br /> Finance Office. DPW Director Pinsonneault worked with the Finance Office to <br /> investigate and found that a single check or credit card deposit to the Town's general <br /> funds may be made in payment of multiple fees by a builder, without necessarily <br /> itemizing those payments. He stated that he is confident that fees are being collected and <br /> acknowledges that better tracking may be a reasonable goal in the future. <br /> Implementation of the amendments to the Tree Bylaw passed at spring 2021 Annual Town <br /> Meeting should help address some of the issues noted here. The Tree Committee expects to <br /> work with the DPW and the IT Department to ensure that the Viewpoint Cloud permit <br /> application captures both the replacement inch calculation for large trees and the large shade tree <br /> planting credit. The post-construction spreadsheet to be provided by builders that lists all <br /> removed and newly planted trees will facilitate uniform compliance with the bylaw and more <br /> accurate and accessible records of bylaw activity. Currently I am not confident that trees <br /> removed under the bylaw are adequately mitigated, and I am quite sure that trees remaining on <br /> the site are often not adequately protected from damage. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Nancy Sofen <br /> June 9, 2021 <br /> 2 <br />