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Minutes Tree Committee 1/9/2020 <br /> Held at 7:39 AM, DPF, 201 Bedford Street, Room 125 <br /> Attendance: Gerry Paul (Chair), Nancy Sofen, Jim Wood, Gloria Bloom, Mark Sandeen, Mark <br /> Connor, Pat Moyer, Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden) <br /> 1. Gloria Bloom was appointed scribe and the minutes of the December 12 meeting were <br /> accepted. <br /> Tree Warden Updates <br /> 2. There are no updates on the Bylaw <br /> 3. Fall planting is mostly complete—about 5 trees left. Planning for spring has started. <br /> 4. We discussed alternate plans for the canopy assessment if the Select Board does not approve <br /> the $30K that was requested. One option is to apply for MVP resilience grant. Chris will get a <br /> better estimate for the actual costs of different canopy assessments. Knowledge of canopy <br /> changes will show where losses are occurring, effects of enforcement, changes in fees. Historic <br /> aerial view is needed to document changes. There could be incentives for not cutting—say more <br /> square feet of building in exchange for saving trees. <br /> Male trees —do we plant only males of some species, are they aggressive pollinators, allergy <br /> effects, are there substitutes, do they attract birds? <br /> 5. Tree manual update. Changes include: ALB and EAB hosts, remove hosts from list of <br /> approved shade trees, rearrange and renumber figures for ease of use, eliminate use of"dwarf' <br /> trees (just give height limitations). <br /> Motion: Tree Manual as modified by Pat and Nancy will be submitted to Select Board for <br /> approval and publishing. Committee will get pdf version for editing. Approved unanimously. <br /> 6. New members. Look for people with good communications skills and knowledge of trees. <br /> 7. Possible 2020 priorities: tree removal data; analysis of canopy survey;public outreach- <br /> unofficial social media site on twitter or facebook, schools, show changes in Lexington streets <br /> with pictures, setup fund for public donations, show effects of clear cutting;preservation of large <br /> trees —get removal data; look at bylaw update to include private trees; coordination with other <br /> groups like CLC, Garden Club; explain goal to plant more than removed; secure resources for <br /> trees; gas leak monitoring before planting; identify major threats to canopy; health benefits of <br /> trees; male tree issues; effect of climate change and insect infestations on what we should plant. <br /> Adjourn at 9:25 <br /> Submitted by Gloria Bloom <br />