2023-04-13-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Creatfng corridors of shaded walks to counteract heat island effects Increasing person-power in the Forestry department. Making the Tree Warden positfon full tfme. Improving record keeping for our public trees (making the inventory living document?) 14 Moyer will contact Amber Carr of conservatfon about another invasive liana (specifically bittersweet vine) removal project in Dunback Meadow this spring, linking with the Conservatfon Stewards. 15. We discussed adding closed captfoning for our zoom meetfngs. We would need to inform meetfng partfcipants that their words would be recorded and saved if audio or video recording. 16. There was a discussion with Charles Hornig about the Planning Board doing more to mitfgate the loss of trees on town projects. Mr. Hornig explained the many constraints, contfngencies, and stakeholders in the planning process. We adjourned at 9:10 AM. Respectiully submitted, Pat Moyer Attachment: Nancy Sofen’s summary of Tree Concern Statement brainstorming session. 1. Licensing of and/or permitting of or reporting by tree companies so that we have information about what is happening. This would allow the town to collect data (date, location, size, species) about trees removed from residential and commercial construction sites, residential and commercial lots not under development, and many public trees as well since the town often contracts out removal work. 2. A larger budget/staff for the Forestry Division that adequately supports an Urban Forest Master Plan (which also needs to be developed). This would include a full-time Tree Warden, at least one other Certified Arborist, and may separate the Forestry Division from Public Grounds to give it greater authority. A larger Forestry Staff is a prerequisite for most suggestions being made to increase tree protections, care and planting. The Tree Committee would have some role in Tree Warden hiring. 3. Advocate for adoption of a policy (via Tree Bylaw?) that public shade tree protections extend some distance into the front setbacks on private property. Current practice of ceding ownership of town-planted setback trees leaves those trees vulnerable to future removal by property owners. 4. Create a system that documents (when, where, what, why?) and makes publicly visible any tree work, particularly removals, being done by the town or utilities. This might be accomplished by the Tree Inventory if it were on the town website, used as a living database and updated through the work order system, as it was designed to be used. 5. Promote "cool routes to [school, town center, etc.]" to highlight the importance of safe and shaded public spaces and walking routes.