2016-09-08-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee Thursday, September 8, 2016, 7:30 AM Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. Members Present: Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds, John Frey(Chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen. Members Absent: Jim Wood th 1. Jewel Kuljian was appointed as scribe for the meeting. The minutes of the August 11 meeting were approved. 2. Bylaw Tree removal applications and activity. Gerry is working together with Chris to enhance the columns and labeling. Chris is working on the many updates. He will forward results to Tree Committee members. 3. Spring tree planting for Meriam Street at Parking Lot. Because of the drought, Jewel decided it best not to replace trees lost over the winter until the Spring of 2017. As much as possible, native trees and plants that are not salt sensitive will work best for the site. Thoughts about planning to date are: remove all the crab grass, measure the various parts of the site, and add compost to the site in the spring prior to planting. Jewel will work with Karen, Anne, and Chris regarding the species for the planting plan. At this early stage some shubs and trees under consideration are Cornus mas, Maackia amurensis, Malus, Cotinus coggygria, and Ilex crenata. 4. Fall 2016 tree planting on town property locations. Approximately 12-15 trees are to be ordered by Jim at Schichtel by October 3, 2016. Chris anticipates the planting of five trees in the Town Center, possibly some others at the Lincoln Park playing field and possibly an allee at Hastings Park. Gerry and Chris will meet on th Tuesday, September 13 at 10 AM to finalize the order. 5. Status Report on tree losses and damage from drought. Chris will ask Joel to quantify the losses. 6. Latest on Tree Inventory. Chris is in the process of getting quotes and plans to have the inventory completed during this fall and winter for half of precinct 6, and all of precinct 7, 8 and 9. 7. Chris will contact George Grey regarding the damage to the honeylocust tree at Toyota. The broken branch has been cut. More information is needed. 8. Restaffing of one Forestry Division position. To be fully staffed Chris would like to have the authority to add another staff member. The Committee suggested that Chris keep asking for this position to be filled. 9. Status of tree planting on Mass. Ave. between Bloomfield and Percy. Chris will report back to the Committee. 10. Warrant articles for Tree Bylaw changes for Spring 2017 Town Meeting. (See 6 page document added at the end of these minutes which describes the proposed changes in the form of a draft presentation to the Selectmen.) A discussion ensued regarding some of the factors involved. Gerry presented information indicating the fact that Lexington’s mitigation fees are less than surrounding towns. He suggested the mitigation fee be increased to $100.00 per inch. This applies to 120-8 Protected Trees., Section C.(1) and (2). Also in Section C.(1) Replanting of trees on the basis of one inch of caliper of new tree(s) for each replacement inch of DBH of tree{s} removed except to encourage the planting of large shade trees (a change of wording) to be on the basis of ½ inch of caliper of new tree(s) for each replacement inch of new tree(s) with each replanted tree must have a minimum caliper of three inches.