HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14-TREE-min
Minutes-Lexington Tree Committee Meeting of December 14, 2006
1. Jim Wood was appointed scribe. Minutes of Nov. 9, 2006 were approved with
amendments.
2. Tree Committee Annual Report Photo taken at Tower Park by Nell Walker
3. Attending the Tree Committee Meeting. David Pinsonneault, Anne Senning, Nell
Walker, Gerry Paul, Sue Solomon, John Frey, Chair, Karen Longeteig, Markus
Pinney. Citizens Attending: Jane Beswick, Minona Heaviland
4. By-Law Report-David Pinsonneault
4.1 476 total sites, 326 closed, Total applications for tree removal 565, with 264
removed, Total trees to plant 1343, with 610 planted
4.2 Bike path work- Approximately 15 trees 2 to 3 inches in diameter were
removed by the MWRA. They will replant 10 trees.
4.3 Sheraton Hotel Property ~ 80 removed, replanting 50.
4.4 Black Walnut Tree, Buckman Tavern. Tree Committee voted 6-1 to leaving
the Black Walnut in place unless it starts to cause damage to the tavern.
4.5 Commorative Tree for Lincoln Park. Tree Committee recommended species
were Sugar Maple/Tulip Tree-Dave will talk to the sponsor.
4.6 Tree Nursery-David to file paperwork with the DEP for approval due to
stream (wetlands) close by.
4.7 Ailing Hemlocks at 1303 Mass Ave. Wooley adelgids had killed Segal’s trees
and he wanted advice on what to replant. The action is for John Frey and
Anne Senning to meet with him and make recommendations.
4.8 Bylaw Changes Jeanne Krieger will put place holder in Warrant. David
Pinsonneault will get proposed by-Law changes to all of us.
4.9 Definition of Zoning Setback in Tree Bylaw. David P. will supply changes so
it complies with Zoning Bylaw
4.10 DPW has submitted a Program Improvement budget request of $24,000
for the purchase and planting of trees.
5. Spraying for Winter Moth-Wellesley plans to treat the Winter Moth invasion
aggressively and will spray its public trees with Spinosad. David P. will
determine what they are using, cost and what approvals are needed. A check of
State rules was also recommended.
6. Tree By-law/Zoning By-Law/Tree Manual changes with respect to better
preserving and protecting trees in the Special Permit Land development process.
The subcommittee, A. Senning, K. Longeteig, N. Walker. A meeting with
Maryann McCall-Taylor of the Planning Board was held after this meeting to
determine what the wording should be for the new By-Law. Nell W. had some
suggestions regarding how to modify the Manual. They will report to the
committee next meeting. Markus volunteered to be on this subcommittee.
7. Lexington Public Tree Inventory completion. Anne Senning prepared an outline
for a grant from Mass DCR to fund the work using paid interns. We will partner
with the Urban Forestry Institute (Sherri Brokopp) in this grant. Tree Committee
voted 7-0 to proceed with the grant application.
8. Commemorative Tree Program
8.1 Commemorative Tree Program Brochure: Karen L. will make changes
regarding “in perpetuity” and substitute “Commemorative” for “Memorial”.
8.2 Commemorative Tree Trust fund: It was decided to set aside $500 of each
$1500 Commemorative Tree donation for the purpose of replacing any
commemorative tree that dies before its time. After donations for 10 trees
have been received, we will shift $5000 to a Commemorative Tree Trust Fund
account managed by the Lexington Trustees of Public Trusts. Subsequent to
this, $500 of each and every $1500 Commemorative Tree donation will go
directly into the Trust fund and the difference into the Tree Revolving Fund.
Thus the donor would make two separate payments to the Town of Lexington:
$500 for the Commemorative Tree Trust Fund account and $1000 for the Tree
Revolving Fund account. Payments are due on the tree planting date.
8.3 Karen will work with a graphic designer to come up with some logo’s suitable
for the tree committee. The Logo must fit on an envelope as a return address.
9. Tree Farm Status-David P. reported that all town approvals are in place and he
will apply to DEP for their permit since the area is close to a wetlands. Jim W.
requested two catalogs of bare root plants for the committee to select from.
Current Tree Revolving Fund balance is $6383.09.
10. Status of Videotaping of Tree Lecture Series. Gerry Paul brought in the master
copies of all the Tree Lectures. Karen L. will make title pages. Gerry and Karen
will try to get the DVDs duplicated at cost. (Post our meeting, Gerry Paul set up
April 5, 2007 as a ‘Friends of Trees” introduction to the Town in the Cary
Library’s meeting room.
11. Tree Talk Articles-Karen L. reported that the Winter Moth article had been
published. Further, Karen noted that several of us were behind on our Tree Talk
articles. She said the guilty knew who they were. After a pause and looking over
the group she must have concluded we did not look very guilty, as she identified
the guilty by name and topic. Markus P. volunteered to write an article soon.
12. Tree Committee Report for the Town’s Annual Report. John Frey will put
together a draft and send it out to all of us via email. It will include reference to
all the Tree Talk articles to date. Anne S. will provide a write-up on the Tree
inventory work.
13. Jim W. raised the question as to what the Tree Committee’s position should be on
the new DPW facility if they do not have a funded “Tree Management Plan” as
part of the overall plan. Jeanne K. will look into what is planned and John Frey will
send a letter to the Permanent Building Committee asking for copies of the present
“Landscape Plan” and Tree Management Plan.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Wood