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TreeMINUTES11-15-05
Lexington Tree Committee
Minutes Nov. 15, 2005* , Lexington, MA
*Tree Committee meeting of 11/10/05 postponed due to shutdown of Town Office Bldg.
Present: John Frey /Chair, Jim Jones, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nell Walker /Scribe, Jeanne
Kreiger /Selectman representative, David Pinsonneault /Supt. of Public Grounds; Absent: Jim Wood
1. The minutes of the 10/13/05 meeting were accepted as corrected.
2. D. Pinsonneault (Tree Warden) reports
2a. Under the Tree By-law from 10/01/01 to date: 416 sites visited, 287 of these closed; 479 trees approved
for removal of which 212 are removed to date; a total of 1,115 trees required to be planted , of which
486 have been planted.
2b. Forestry Dept. report 1/1/05-10/31/05: 150 pruned, 23 treated for pests and disease, 119 removed and 37
planted.
2c. The FY2007 budget requests $10,000 for planting, $5,000 more than last year. If the override passes,
an additional $25,000 is included in the “needs” budget.
2d. Matt Foti will donate and maintain a 20 ft. Sugar Maple on the Common, replacing the old Sugar Maple
downed by a recent storm near the Soldiers’ Monument. Various boards and committees must approve the
location of the new tree.
3. The state Urban Forestry Program sponsored a Forest Steward Training session Nov. 4-5. It was
attended by John, Karen, Anne and Nell. John Frey was recognized as the Forest Steward of the Year.
Lexington was touted for its groundbreaking tree by-law and the Tree Management Manual.
4. Gerry Paul made a short presentation to the Planning Board. It is apparent that many are resigned to a solid
concrete surface in the Center and all relevant committees need education about new planting techniques that
liberate trees from the constraints of a 4x4 pit. Paul was voted to be the liaison to Planning Board.
5. G. Paul reported on the effort to modify Karen’s Town Meeting presentation to a video format. Local media
groups will be contacted.
6. Ann Cuervo for the LFGC received a $500 matching grant from the Garden Club Federation of
Massachusetts, which when matched with $500 from the Suzanne Basser funds will provide for a total
of $1000 for Arbor Day tree planting. Kathy Yates, Suzanne Basser and other Garden Club members
deceased in the previous year will be honored on Arbor Day 2006 probably at Belfry Hill.
7. Recent Planning and Education Grant progress:
7a. D. Pinsonneault discussion: MIS Dave Bordenca contacted Denise Castronovo of Community Forest
Partnership re next phase of inventory. We need to extend the base map, possibly along Mass. Ave. There are
limited funds, so mapping is piecemeal, because a GIS system for the whole town has not been funded. But we
will get some money, because this is an established project. The linking of the Cartograph work-order system of
the Forestry Division to the inventory is the second project of this phase. There was discussion of increase in
town’s protection from liability if hazard trees are on a priority list.
7b. N. Walker (lecture series) reported that there are 3 speakers lined up with solid dates, 1 waiting for
confirmation and 2 yet to be contacted. Dates and known speakers are: Jan. 18 (rep from the Arnold
Arboretum), Feb. 15 (Peter Alden, author), March 1 (open), April 12 (Clarissa Rowe, Arlington Land Trust),
May 10 (Bill Cullina, N.E. Wildflower Society Propagator and author), Sept. 13 (unfilled) and Oct. 11
(unfilled). The free talks will be given at the Cary Library Lecture Room downstairs, Wed evenings at 7:30.
The committee agreed to send out the lecture series announcement in December, with a mailing to every
household.
8. Heritage Tree Grant status: the Committee voted not to proceed with the application.
9. The CPA (Community Preservation Act Committee) made a compelling slide presentation. Citizens will vote
on March 6, 2006. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to support the proposal.
10. Tree Inventory report: To date, 448 trees were counted in 2004 (paper entry). In 2005, 619 were recorded with
one iPAQ shuttling between various teams. Anne estimated about 2000 yards of the Bike path in the center,
when counted, would close out the 2005 effort
11. The Tree Talk articles in the Minuteman have been launched. So far, two have been published, “History” and
“Alternatives to Invasives”. Jim Jones will provide a piece on Tree Propagation In January and the Memorial
Tree Program will run in November.
12. Wendy Rudner, interested in trees and a Town Meeting member, will be invited to our meetings.
13. John proposed that Karen’s Power Point show be taken on the road, specifically to the new Town Manager, to
bring him up to speed on our shrinking infrastructure.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: DECEMBER 8, 2005, 7:30 A.M. IN ROOM 111