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Nancy indicated we wanted to work with the DPW and that it was incredibly frustrating that the working relationship with the DPW had broken down. She indicated that it is the Tree Committee’s responsibility to take a position on issues and it that is difficult when the DPW responds defensively or tells us we do not have a right to take a position. She indicated that the Tree Committee represents people in Town who are frustrated with what they see concerning trees. Gerry described the fact checking process the Committee goes through. Gerry asked that, just to keep the record straight, the Town Manager and/or the DPW Director find some examples in which the Tree Committee acted inappropriately. Gerry stated that respect goes two ways and that there were written commitments that were made by the DPW and that those commitments weren’t met and weren’t responded to. Nancy then asked going forward how do we find out the information we need. For example, the tree canopy survey and the tree inventory. Will the inventory be followed by an urban forest master plan? Nancy stated that, compared to what’s going on in other towns, the current situation in Lexington is frankly embarrassing. Jim then stated that doing investigations is not part of the charter of the Tree Committee and that if residents bring issues to the Tree Committee, the Tree Committee should just be alerting the Public Works Director and he will report back to the committee. Dave indicated that had a problem receiving a document from the Tree Committee with a list of issues. Jill suggested that Dave write down the process that should be followed when resident s contact the DPW. Dave said he had no problem working together to document such a process. Nancy then explained that the discussion was conflating two things: • situations in which a resident contacted the Tree Warden, did not get a response, so it came to the Tree Committee • reports by the Tree Committee on structural issues which are a combination of things that come from residents and that the Tree Committee itself has observed. An example was when the Tree Committee trying to develop amendments to the Tree Bylaw where we saw issues with how the Tree Bylaw was being implemented and brought it to Dave’s attention. Talking with Dave, we found structural issues some of which have been addressed. Dave said for those types of things, the DPW should be involved in the beginning and would be more productive than getting something later.