2020-08-13-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bridge, Bowman, Fiske, Clarke and Diamond. Some trees were to be moved (Harrington) and others removed to accommodate the canopies, which are under construction, and $72,000 was given to the Tree Fund for new plantings. The DPF will mark locations and DPW will plant the trees. These canopies were approved by the School Committee and Select Board, did not require the usual public process for town tree removals. The School Committee did voice concerns about tree removal, while the Select Board did not discuss trees. The DPW was informed after decisions were made. Chris suggests that the Tree Committee reach out to the DPF. 11. Sustainable Lexington would like to support the work of the Tree Committee. They have scheduled a virtual event at Cary Library for October 6, featuring speakers Robert O'Connor (long-time state Land Use Policy Director) giving an overview of tree retention and Bill Moomaw (Nobel laureate for climate change work) who will present his new research on the significance of older trees are for carbon capture, biodiversity and more. Tree Committee members should work on publicizing this event. The state is trying to provide incentives in favor or burning trees for energy, arguing that trees are a renewable resource. Sustainable Lexington and the Select Board wrote in opposition to this legislation; SL urges the TC to take stands on issues that affect the whole state. 12. Revisiting Center Streetscapes landscape plan. The sense of the committee is that we did not have the full background (Ad Hoc Committee report, design intent, who selected trees and why, etc.) before our prior vote to approve the landscape plan presented by the Beta Group. We voiced concerns then and continue to be concerned by the choice of Zelkova, a non-native tree with no ecological value in the landscape, as a dominant tree in this plan. Since that vote the committee has also become more aware of the adverse health effects resulting from planting only male trees in public gathering spaces such as schools, parks, and town centers. This plan uses male honeylocust for the majority of trees planted. The plan is currently before the Historic Districts Commission. The committee voted to write a letter to the HDC, John Livsey, and Beta Group stating that we would like to reconsider our approval. The committee's current position is that we would support a monoculture of lindens (which have the desired form, are native and have perfect flowers and therefore do not release large amounts of pollen) on the north side of the commercial area. We would like to see native trees with lower allergenicity than those currently specified in other areas of the center. Mark Connor and Nancy are to draft the letter. 13. Pat spoke with Anne Senning, who feels strongly that the 4t" edition of the Tree Management Manual should be dedicated Nell Walker. Anne did not object to adding a dedication to John Frey but in an email after the meeting ended did not want to be included herself in the dedications. Although the committee would like to honor all 3, we also want to respect Anne's wishes. Pat and Nancy will craft a new page for John and will visit Anne with the final version. 14. Information Initiatives Subcommittee. See Addendum 3 to these minutes for a presentation of their suggestions to use rules and regulations to advance change without the need for a bylaw amendment. These notes capture the discussion about the presentation. Mark Sandeen defined the following: