HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-09-TREE-minTown of LexingtonLexington Tree Committee Minutes August 9, 2012
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on August 9, 2012, 7:40 -9:40 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), Karen
Longeteig, Anne Senning, James Wood, Jewel Kuljian, Nell WalkerMembers Absent: Deborah
Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Gerry Paul The meeting acted on the following items: 1. Scribe:
Karen Longeteig was appointed. Minutes: of July 12 were approved with two corrected
spellings, "Eisenhauer" and "Meriam ".
2. Tercentennial and Tree Medallion: For funding, Karen will contact Deb Mauger and ask
that permission be granted to use funds from the Tree Fund — as an item for the Selectmen's
Consent agenda. For the use of any profits from purchases of the medallion, Chris suggested that
we designate a tree - related charity, such as a scholarship, a gift, etc. He also noted that there is a
"recognition" or PR value to the medallion, which could be used as gifts to deserving supporters
of the tree cause, etc. Anne suggested we get the medallion copyrighted in the name of the Tree
Committee. It was decided to get them numbered sequentially if possible; another suggestion
was that we order "a few" and see how sales go. "A few" might mean 100 vs. the 300
envisioned. The price was discussed but never voted on, and ranged from $10 to $20. Karen
moved, and it was seconded, that "The Tree Committee supports the project of a medallion for
the Lexington Tercentennial." Unanimously approved.
Jim asked what the TC will do to dedicate our Tercentennial Oak on the Green, on the 22 of
September. We could also dedicate it on the actual anniversary next March. No action was
taken.
3. Tree Management Manual: the work group of John, Anne, and Nell presented bound
copies of the draft of the revised manual, the result of 26 meetings. TC members were asked to
mark up any edits on hard copy and drop them off in the basket at the DPW by August 16 The
next work meeting will be August 21 at 2:30 pm.
4. Tree Warden Agenda items:
a. Chris will email us the numbers of calls, etc., according to the Bylaw.
e. Nursery Work Date: John and Jim will arrange between themselves for burying the
feedline.
f. Tree inventory, tree maps, GIS: Chris stated the need to train or re -train people on the
GPS system. Anne said she would arrange with Judy Seppala for a training session with MIS;
Anne, John, Jim and Karen were interested in attending. Anne said the Inventory could be
completed in one summer if we had a trained intern.
h. Summer interns: Chris said that one intern, Eisenhauer, has been hired for the
summer; the other, Coble, will stay on for fall planting.
i. The money has been sent in for the Nickles commemorative tree. It will be installed in
early September. John agreed to write thank -you note.
Items b, c, d, and g were not addressed.
5. Friends of Trees (see item 4.i. above)
A tree is to be planted (although not under the formal Commemorative Scheme) in honor
of Marjory Battin, former Town Selectmen and Town Meeting Moderator. A single stem River
Birch has been chosen and will be planted near the town office building.
6. NSTAR pruning
Several nearby towns have been complaining about NSTAR's `butchering' of trees.
Chris reported that there have been three different contractors working for NSTAR in Lexington
this year, some doing more acceptable jobs than others. Meyer Tree in particular was doing a
good job. In some Mass Ave areas the contractors will be asked to take the whole tree down.
Chris is working with individual companies when complaints are raised. He also noted that
people can hire a private arborist for their own privately -owned tree, OR for a Town tree.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded. Respectfully submitted,
Karen Longeteig, Scribe
Next regular meeting: September 13, 2012, 7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services
Building, Room 125