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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-08-TREE-min Minutes, June 8, 2006 Lexington Tree Committee Lexington, Massachusetts Present: John Frey, Chairman; Karen Longeteig; Gerry Paul; David Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds; Anne Senning; Susan Solomon, Emeritus; Nell Walker; Jeanne Krieger, Selectmen liaison. 1. Scribe and Minutes. Karen Longeteig was appointed as scribe, in the absence of both Jim Wood and Jim Jones. The minutes of May 11, 2006 and for the Sub-committee on strategy meeting on June 1, were approved as corrected. The scribe for 5-11, Anne Senning, will re-submit these minutes, with corrections to the complicated paragraph about tree donations, to John Frey and David Pinsonneault for review. 2. Report Under the Tree Bylaw: Dave reports that to date 449 sites have been visited, of which 305 are now closed. A total of 1019 trees require replanting, of which 528 have actually been planted. A total of 520 trees have been approved for removal, of which 239 have been removed. Construction Regulations: Dave will prepare language on construction requirements for the next meeting. Jeanne Krieger has talked to former Town Counsel Norm Cohen about how to present these requirements. He recommended that we adopt “rules and regulations”, possibly attached to the Tree Management Manual, but that we not go to Town Meeting for a Bylaw change. There has been lack of Town inter-departmental communication about tree protection. Jeanne recommends that the Building, Conservation, Tree, etc. departments draw up a common list of all regulations pertaining to builders that can be combined into a brochure and given to builders when they pull permits. About 500 of our Tree Management Manuals have been distributed; we have @ 500 left. Insect activity: Winter Moth and Gypsy Moth are hitting the Town hard in places. Dave reported that the DPW is not spraying because of lack of budget, as well as the inefficiency of spraying public trees which may be right next to untreated private trees. Ideas discussed: put out a fact sheet for homeowners, and encourage local hardware stores to provide a treatment “kit”. This will be discussed in more detail outside of this meeting. John recommends reading “The Dying of the Trees” by Charles E. Little for more information on forestry problems. Planning and Education Grant Progress: Mailer: there are still some left. th Lecture series: Bill Cullina has confirmed his postponed lecture date for September 13, according to Nell. We agreed that we will not amend the publicity flyer, but publicity needs to be started in mid-August. Lecture # 4 videotape has not been edited due to absence of LCTV personnel, but Nell Walker has reviewed the tapes for content and problem areas. The video of Lecture #3 ran on LCTV, and appeared a little dark. Editing will resume next week. Inventory: Anne and John have done some work on Belfry Hill. Anne will contact a couple of new potential volunteers, and will put out a schedule. She will assemble a second kit and second measuring wheel. As for the LABBB proposal that 10 challenged students assist in the inventory, the committee was doubtful that this would be an efficient use of inventorying time. We would like to respond, however, that we think there could be a role for these students to play in tree care, such as pulling Norway Maples and Garlic Mustard. th Long-term Strategy subcommittee: Gerry Paul set a date for the next meeting on June 13. th Memorial Tree planting: A Princeton Elm in memory of Kathy Yates will be planted Friday June 9 at Tower Park. John will ask the Lexington Field & Garden Club president to ask the press to come. As for the Dolberg tree (a possibility), John will call them for a decision between a Tulip Tree or a Scarlet Oak. Memorial Tree plaques and labels: Nell produced several handsome mock-ups of various plaque systems, and will try to negotiate a lower price from the vendor, whose minimum order right now is $150. The committee approved a 5” high x 3” wide plaque as being especially suitable for young, slender trees. We could go to a bigger plaque in 10 years or so, or skip it if the smaller plaque still seems suitable. Memorial Tree Book: we need to develop the format for the Book in subcommittee. Tree Farm/Nursery: John will work on Jim W’s draft to the Conservation Commission proposing this new use for the land. He will disseminate this to other committee members by email for comments. Tree Talk articles. Karen presented a new list of articles, ones accomplished and those yet to come: Done: September 2005; History of Trees in Lexington, Gerry Paul, October 2005; Alternatives to Invasives, Nell Walker, November 2005; Memorial Tree Program, Karen Longeteig, February 2006; Tree Propagation, Jim Jones March 2006; Protecting Trees During Construction, John Frey Articles to come: June 2006; Tree Inventory, Anne Senning July 2006: the override, financing of trees, losing trees in Lexington, and other subjects from the presentation given to Town Meeting last March Jim Wood August 2006: new trees for diversification, such as the Princeton Elm, Tulip Tree, Sweet Gum, and how to choose what kind of tree to plant Karen Longeteig. September 2006: Champion trees in Lexington Nell Walker October 2006: Bittersweet and Garlic Mustard Gerry Paul “How trees and sidewalks can co-exist”, no author yet, but John reported that author Bruce K. Ferguson (Univ. of Georgia) has developed a porous concrete that can be used as a base for brick sidewalks, which would be one way to aid tree health. The 2020 Committee meeting: The committee brought up the question of whether there is an action the Town can take to lead to long-term environmentally sustainable policies. Other items: The $5000 line item for tree planting passed in the Town Override Question #3. We need to discuss with the Tree Warden about how this will be used (he had to leave the meeting early, but afterwards said the funds are not targeted for any specific plantings and would be used as we get requests or when we identify areas of need). The sense of the Committee is that this money should not be committed to scattered locations on residential streets in response to private homeowner requests, but that it should be used where it will make a significant impact: in the downtown commercial area to replace missing trees, in a mass planting, or on the tree farm set-up. Karen thanked Dave for obtaining and assisting with the planting of six oaks at LHS. The Committee signed a thank-you card to Lexington arborist Matt Foti for his recent tree donations. thth Next Meetings: Strategy Subcommittee, June 13, and Regular Meeting July 13.