2018-08-09-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Tree Committee Meeting, August 9, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.-9:30 AM held at 201 Bedford Street, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125 Members Present: Gerry Paul(Chair), John Frey, Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, and Nancy Sofen. Absent: Chris Filadoro, Pat Moyer, and James Wood. 1. Minutes of the July 12 and August 2 meeting were reviewed and approved. Jewel Kuljian acting as Scribe for today's meeting. 2. Hancock Church tree planting on the Battle Green. Susan Rockwell asked if the Tree Committee would support the planting of a tree on the Battle Green for the 150th anniversary of the church. In regards to a religious institution sponsoring the of a planting a tree on the Battle Green the Tree committee discussed the issues of the separation of church and state and the setting of a precedent for any religious institution in the future to be accorded this right. The Committee voted to approve the following statement: "The Tree Committee supports the planting of trees from the list of large shade trees in the Lexington Tree Management Manual on the Battle Green along the Massachusetts avenue side of the Green to the west of the Monument where there is open space". Nancy Sofen will send Susan the list of large shade trees. 3. Discuss and elect a new Chair. Thanks to Gerry Paul for his commitment to serve as Chair until September 1, 2019. Sharing of this position in the future by Nancy Sofen and Pat Moyer was discussed as a possibility. John Frey's "effective leadership" as the Tree Committee Chair since its inception in 2001 along with other contributions to the Lexington community is cited in the July/August issue of the Colonial Times. Anne Senning will write another article for the Lexington Minuteman about John's retirement as Chair of the Tree Committee. 4. Tree Committee member vacancy: Nancy reported that Scott Burson has expressed interest. Gerry suggests a posting to the TMMA and Lexington List. He will also check with the Town to see how this is posted. Gerry has drafted a notice that can be posted. See attachment. 5. Best Practices Study Discussion. In the fall of 2017 Gerry Paul and Jim Wood met with Cambridge City Tree Warden Dave Lefcourt and Nancy Soften joined them to meet Belmont Tree Warden Tom Walsh and Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward. A first draft summary of the discussions was discussed. Nancy Sofen will reorganize some of the sections and make clear what are the proposed practices recommended for Lexington. 6. Tree Management Manual Update. The committee voted to approve four Massachusetts General Laws as appendices: Chapter 132:Section 8, Chapter 132: Section 11, Chapter 132: 12 and Chapter 132A: Section F which is the controlling legislation for the Asian Ionghorned beetle and the Emerald ash borer. 7. Postponed until Chris is present: • Bylaw Tree removal applications and activity. • Review Joel's list of locations/species planted in Spring & Fall 2017 and 2018 to date planting. • EAB update. 8. It was suggested that Erik Gitschier, the Town Highway Superintendent, be invited to attend a Tree Committee Meeting in the fall to update us on sidewalk reconstruction planned for FY 2019. Gerry will invite him. Future: Gerry also reported that at the next meeting he will bring a draft of the Annual Report due at the end of October. And continue with other items: 1)Tree Committee web site update. 2) Nell Walker's Striped Maple replacement search status by Chris and 3) Dense housing development and its effect on surrounding tree loss. Amend Tree Bylaw to address the issue. Attachment: "There is an opening on the Lexington Tree Committee. The primary candidate requirement is caring about the tree canopy in Lexington and, in particular, the shade trees along our streets. Our regular meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM at the DPW Building on Bedford Street. If you are interested in applying, please respond off list. Thanks Gerry Paul, Chair'