2012-01-24-TREE-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Town of Lexington Lexington Tree Committee Minutes January 24, 2012 A special meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on January 24, 2012, 7:30- 9:30 a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was present. Members Present: Chris Filadoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds) John Frey (chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault (Operations Manager), Anne Senning, James Wood Members Absent: Deborah Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Nell Walker Guest: William Hadley (Director of Public Works) The meeting acted on the following items: 1.Anne Senning was appointed as scribe , 2.Minutes of January 12, 2012 were postponed until February 9, 2012. 3. Report from the January 23, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting, concerning 10 Webb Street Tree Hearing. William Hadley described the hearing at the Selectmen’s meeting as follows: Chris Filadoro presented a recommendation to replant four trees as mitigation for the removal of a public shade tree at 10 Webb Street. Gerry Paul suggested a mitigation of $1000. The Selectmen voted to postpone the hearing until January 30, 2012 to allow the Tree Committee to take a position. Dave Pinnsoneault stated that mitigations are covered in the Lexington Tree Bylaw both for removing large (over 6"DBH) trees and trees during property construction. The intent of the Tree bylaw is to keep trees on the property and to re-plant trees on the lot or nearby the property, not to make money. Dave Pinnsoneault reported that during his time as a tree warden, 700 mitigations were compliant and maybe 5 were not. He suggested that, if new guidelines for public shade trees are to be adopted, they should be added to the Tree bylaw. Chris Filadoro stated he would coordinate with the Tree Committee on future hearings. He noted that very few tree hearings have gone to the Selectmen. Gerry Paul made a motion that the issue of 10 Webb Street be closed, supporting Chris Filadoro’s proposal for 4 trees to be replanted. The motion was passed unanimously. 4.Refinements to the Town of Lexington Tree Bylaw Gerry Paul noted that Chapter 87 carries a maximum penalty of $500 if a tree is cut down. He requested clarification from Dave Pinnsoneault for the average diameter of trees that have been removed. Dave Pinnsoneault said this is 20 to 30 inches DBH. Dave Pinnsoneault pointed out that the Town could take legal action for any value over