2019-09-12-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Tree Committee Minutes 201 Bedford St. 9/12/19 7:30 AM Present: Gerry Paul (chair), Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen, Gloria Bloom, Jim Wood, Mark Sandeen (Selectmen Liaison), Pat Moyer (scribe); Absent: Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden), Jewel Kuljian Minutes: of July 18, 2019 were read and accepted as amended. Tree Warden Update: Via email, Chris let us know that now 6 ash trees have been injected for EAB. He is working on a list of requests and planting for the setback tree planting program. The Committee requested that Chris provide a monthly update of town EAB work, bylaw activity, and status of requests and trees planted in the setback program --preferably electronically to save paper. Tree Canopy Assessment Update: Nancy and Gerry reported that Dave Pinsonneault indicated that he will submit a program improvement request for funds for a tree canopy assessment in the budget request for next year. We would also like this assessment to include information about the rate of change in the town canopy. Citizen Engagement: we discussed ways to involve the community in supporting a stronger tree bylaw to help preserve trees, especially large trees, in the face of ongoing private construction, disease, damage etc. Ideas raised included Minuteman letters, widespread attendance at Town Meeting, ditto at a Selectman's meeting, or holding a hearing open to all, explaining the bylaw, finding out what people support in terms of change, and then crafting a bylaw amendment. Mark pointed out that there are two potential constituencies preservationists, and people who are concerned about neighborhoods and loss of character. We suggested that we find out what would incentivize builders to keep large trees. Tree Bylaw: Jim Wood wishes to draft a portion of a new bylaw to be introduced at spring Town Meeting to maintain the tree canopy, specifically by preserving large trees, which are geometrically more effective at removing CO2 from the atmosphere than small ones. The committee agreed that we support town policies that maintain or enlarge our tree canopy. We did not yet agree to a new bylaw or an interaction with Town Meeting. Best Practices: Nancy and Gerry have met and reviewed the committee's document on Best Practices with Dave Pinsonneault. This meeting engendered productive revision of the document. Two items requiring information from Dave about industry standards on planting locations are awaiting Dave's input. The document was tabled pending this