2016-08-11-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on August 11, 2016, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was present. Members Present: Suzie Barry (Selectman Liaison) Chris Filadoro, (Public Grounds Superintendent, Tree Warden), John Frey (chair), Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen, Jim Wood Members Absent: Jewel Kuljian The meeting acted on the following items: 1. Anne Senning was appointed as scribe: The minutes of the meeting of May 12, 2016, June 9, 2016 and July 14, 2016 were approved. 2.Ania Gilmore of design@aniaart.com requested information about common Lexington trees: Chris Filadoro agreed that Anne Senning could provide her with summary information from the Tree Inventory data, which is available on the Tree Committee web page. 3. Tree Bylaw proposal: Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul and Nancy Sofen had met with Chris Filadoro and presented their proposal for Tree Bylaw change to the Committee with the hope that it could be presented to fall Town Meeting. Suzie Barry stated that there is no possibility of the Tree Bylaw going on the agenda for fall Town Meeting because of short time constraints. The content of the Tree Bylaw proposal was discussed at length. Some of the suggestions made were to simplify the chart, define terms, present the proposal in positive statements, align one category with the current Bylaw, consider how much area there is left to plant trees once the building department has placed all of its required underground structures on the property, take the draft of the Bylaw to a wide range of people in the community including builders, real estate brokers and listen to what they have to say. The writers will meet, take suggestions under advisement and return to the Committee with a revised Tree Bylaw proposal. 4. Tree Warden items: Bylaw tree removal applications and activity: Report deferred. 5. Damaged Honeylocust at Toyota (missing broken top): Top was broken in auto accident when car hit a telephone pole that fell on the honeylocust and snapped off the top half of the tree. Discussion of whether or not the tree should be pruned back for its long term health. Chris Filadoro will talk to George Grey, owner of Lexington Toyota and person responsible for the tree in question. 6. Lexington DPW Response to Drought Conditions: Chris Filadoro explained that the excessive drought conditions of this summer have stressed the resources of the Forestry Services. The watering truck in service 5 days a week, 2 full tanks a day and is not able to keep up adequately with the needs of trees that have been planted in recent years. He explained that he is understaffed by one person, a position which he hope to fill. 7. Fall Tree Planting: In light of the severe drought conditions,the Tree Committee decided to forego fall planting in 2016 with the exception of a few Town property locations that can be