2021-08-12-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for Tree Committee (TC) Meeting (via Zoom) on August 12, 2021 The meeting began at 7:35 am. Attending: Gerry Paul, Nancy Sofen, Mark Sandeen, Mark Connor, Marc Valenti (DPW), Dave Pinsonneault (DPW), Pat Moyer, Marty Kvaal, Gloria Bloom (acting secretary), and Charlie Wyman (observer). Marc V. reported that the tree inventory is due to be completed by Nov-Dec. 2500 trees have already been inventoried. There is a need to replace some trees on the Battle Green. Proposed species will be available for the next meeting. They are working on integrating Article 33 requirements with the Viewpoint Cloud data base. Nancy requested that a draft of the data to be collected in Viewpoint be sent to the TC before it is finalized. Nancy volunteered to send a summary of rules, in the new by law update, that could be given to builders. Gerry asked if some TC members could sit in on an IT meeting regarding implementing the Viewpoint database. Dave will look into it. He said the TC is supposed to work thru the DPW. Chris will meet with developers before the next TC meeting to explain bylaw requirements and enforcement procedures. We know who the builders are through permits and a small group does most of the building. Mark Connor said that the bylaw should be enforced now. Marc V. said that it is being implemented now. Dave said a new position to help Chris is in the budget. Support of the TC when the item comes before the Select Board would be useful. Regarding questions in Nancy's email to Dave (see attachment 4) Chris is revisiting all sites with open permits. Builders are being told about additional fees/credits for trees 24" or greater. Regarding 19 Locke Lane: Chris will check each site before a CO is issued as of now. He will check all credits/charges at that time. We can't go back to properties that already have a CO. For next ATM, Dave suggested that we would have to strengthen the bylaw about protecting existing trees in order to get builders to take it seriously. Under current bylaw, the town can hire a professional arborist, to be paid by the builder, to ensure the health of protected trees. Marc V. noted that we need a real time solution to protect the trees before the damage is done. The Hancock Street site is a good example of inadequate protection. It was suggested that we notify Marc or Chris if we see any violations. Chris will check 8 Eliot Road today. If a builder claims a tree is a hazard and takes it down before inspection, they will have to provide documentation. A solution is to require a picture of the tree in the Viewpoint Cloud. Marc said the new protocol requires a site visit even if the builder says no tree will be taken down. Another