2020-07-09-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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A tree appraisal, performed by Matthew Foti, valued the tree at$39,850. Town Counsel initially opined that the Town could not recover this amount because it exceeded the mitigation specified in the Tree bylaw. Gerry communicated to Town Counsel that this was a Town owned tree and the bylaw does not apply. Town Counsel agreed but still recommended that the full value could not be recovered because such recovery was not specified explicitly in state law Chapter 87. He recommended that the Town bylaw could be updated to apply to street trees. Ultimately, Dave Pinsonneault and the town manager recommended using the current tree bylaw as a guide but doubling the calculated mitigation value of$8,400 to $16,800 to allow for the DPW to contract out tree planting using these funds to overcome DPW capacity issues. Dave stated that the planting of trees within this budget of$16,800 will be in addition to the normal planting of 70 trees per planting season. 5. Tree bylaw changes. How can we get people to think before cutting down their private trees? What about using the permit system for trees over a certain size? There is a role for education of the public. Dave commented that there will be political pushback; in the process of passing the bylaw in 2001 there were lots of objections vis a vis private property. Nancy Sofen stressed our role to advocate for ALL TOWN TREES, and for paid personnel to care for them. Public opinion in the face of climate change may be changing since 2001. Rick Reibstein pointed out that towns do have some legal basis for some control over private property. This was discussed. Role for education of citizens about using contractors who value trees also discussed. For instance, property values decline when trees cut down, etc. A subcommittee consisting of Gerry, Gloria, and Mark Connor joined by Rick Reibstein and Marty Kvall will meet to investigate possible alterations to Tree Bylaw. 6. Tree Management Manual. Whose pictures should we include? Nancy and Pat will be in touch with Anne Senning re how she thinks dedications should be handled. 7. Joel Friedlander and Marty Kvaal interested in joining. We heard from each of them. Both have a keen interest in trees and in our environment. 8. Mark Connor brought up a concern about the intent of the original 1960's design for trees in the center that the current design may ignore. Perhaps we should try to replicate in size and shape the trees that were in the 1960's plan, if we can do so while paying attention to tree survival and care the trees will need and engender. It may be time to re- think and re-invite the center planning group back. Mark Connor and Nancy Sofen to talk. Should it come back to us or to the HDC? 9. The group discussed lessons learned from the debate over removal of the oak at 497 Concord Ave. a. There is a huge educational burden: we must remedy misconceptions held by the public and by town officials and staff. It is upsetting that traffic engineers are considered professional whose advice should be followed, but tree experts are not.