2023-05-11-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Tree Committee Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2023 7:30 am via ZOOM Present: Members Gerry Paul (chair), Mark Connor (vice-chair), Gloria Bloom, Pat Moyer, Barbara Tarrh, Nancy Sofen; Select Board Liaison Joe Pato; DPW Director Dave Pinsonneault, Guests: Charles Hornig, Charlie Wyman The meeting was called to order at 7:30 am. 1. Nancy Sofen was appointed scribe. Minutes of April 13 were approved. Gerry Paul announced that he is stepping down as chair, effective immediately following this meeting. Mark Connor will lead next month’s meeting as acting chair. Gerry will continue to look into financial issues of bylaw enforcement and will present his findings. 2. Tree Committee/DPW Working Group: a. The DPW feels there is good information in the overall numbers of the Tree Canopy Report but agrees to drill down more and will request a proposal from UVM for more detailed analysis of tree canopy data. Funding for this work would be available in early FY25 (summer 2024). b. The DPW would like to plant larger trees – 1½ -2” DBH – to make a faster impact on the canopy. This size is small enough to establish well, though may need an extra year of watering. c. They will look into using watering bags for fall planting. d. Matt Foti will move the elm at the Harrington Rd. triangle – they anticipate a 12’ root ball. e. DPW will keep an eye on an elm in Depot Square that tends to lose limbs in storms. f. Dave P. is open to conversation about a bylaw change that would extend protected status to trees in the front of any lot, whether or not under construction. g. IT is targeting Monday, June 5 to go live with Tree Removal Permit on Open Gov h. Chris is working with the vendor to finalize the Street Tree Inventory. 3. DPW report: Forestry staff began tracking the removal of hazardous public trees on May 1, and Dave will report on May removals at our June meeting. 4. Discovery Day Saturday, May 27, 10am-3pm a. Sharing a table with LexTrees.org b. Pat to manage email coordination, Nancy will be at table c. Bruce Neuman to transport tent & literature (from Gerry), table & chairs (Pat) d. Have signup sheet for Tree Statement of Concern 5. The Committee voted to request that the Select Board ask our representatives in the State Legislature to endorse the Municipal Reforestation Bill and the Public Shade Tree bill, both currently under consideration. Charlie will draft a letter and Pat will finalize it. 6. The Committee voted to request that Joe remain as our liaison from the Select Board.