2021-11-18-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

RECEIVED 2021 d IIP°) , 1 A9 pui °i Lexington Tree Committee TOWN CLERK Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2021 LEXINGTON MA 7:30 am via ZOOM Present: Members Gerry Paul (chair), Mark Connor(co-chair), Jim Wood, Gloria Bloom, Pat Moyer, Marty Kvaal, Nancy Sofen, Mark Sandeen (Select Board liaison). DPW staff Dave Pinsonneault, Marc Valenti. Guests Charlie Wyman, Rick Reibstein, Shannon Murtagh, Barbara Tarrh. Nancy Sofen was appointed scribe. Minutes of September 19 and October 14 (as amended) were approved. Forestry Division Updates: 1. Fall planting underway by Foti Tree Service. DPW researched available stock before contract awarded, so planting could begin promptly. 2. Draft report of the Tree Inventory is expected in December, for review by Town staff. 3. UVM is still trying to get 2021 LIDAR data to complete canopy survey. 4. Chris is finalizing planting list for Battle Green trees. Tree Committee will see this before the Select Board votes on it at their Dec 20th meeting. 5. Tree removal permit application on Viewpoint Cloud is almost complete. Project is being closed out by Tim Goncalves. Dave P will talk to Tim to see whether Tree Committee members can see the pages before application goes live. It will show more information than just cover sheet and plot plan. 6. Tree Warden's meeting with builders: requirements were made clear and builders were receptive. 7. Tree Bylaw activity: Some demolitions have been held up because plot plans were problematic, with bylaw requirements not met. Marc V did not know whether any builders have submitted applications in table format. 8. Tree of Heaven removal tree hearing request at 30 Ingleside: person who coordinates tree hearing is out, so it won't happen until Jan or Feb. DPW asks that implementation of waivers when removing ailanthus be consistent. The committee will take this up later in meeting (see 412). Removal of trees in ROW on Cedarwood Terrace: 9. It is the practice of the town that they do not regard trees on unaccepted streets to be Town or Public Shade trees. The Tree Bylaw says that the bylaw applies to trees on unaccepted streets. The committee voted unanimously to ask Town Counsel and Town Manager for legal clarification. Removal of trees on Bowman School property by Eversource: 10. The Conservation Commission is taking action against Eversource, who removed 18 trees without permission when they were supposed to remove bittersweet vines that were growing on those trees and into wires. The Tree Committee asks that mitigation for these trees be required of Eversource. Gerry will wait until Monday (Nov 22) for a response from the Town Manager, then will send the Tree Committee position and ask Town Counsel for an opinion.