Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-14-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Minutes, Meeting of February 14, 2008 meeting opened 1. The at 7:35 a.m. Attending were John Frey, Chairman, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, David Pinsonneault, DPW Tree Warden, and Jeanne Krieger, Selectmen Liaison. Patrick Mehr attended as a guest. Karen Longeteig was appointed scribe, and the minutes of the January meeting were approved as corrected. (Corrections: add Nell Walker’s name to list of January attendees, and correct the figure for “trees to be planted” to 1102.) Article 37 – AMEND TREE BYLAW. 2b. Guest Patrick Mehr discussed this citizen article dealing with application fees for tree removals. Patrick said his proposal reflects a review of 6 ¼ years of data, and David’s estimate that it costs between $12,000 and $20,000 per year to administer. The Town Building Permit form has not been updated since 1985, but the new Building Inspector Gary Rhodes is said to be amenable to adding a section covering tree removal, using our designated multiplier to set the fee. Patrick’s reason for proposing this amendment is (1) to recoup costs of administration and (2) to possibly save trees by using a permitting fee as a disincentive to removing. Patrick asked the Tree Committee to support this article in Town Meeting. David said he has worked hard with builders to get their buy-in to save trees. He feels that presenting the amendment as a disincentive (a punishment) would be counterproductive, but that it might be more acceptable if presented as a “method to recoup costs.” Jeanne said that since 2001 the Selectmen have chosen not to have a fee (i.e., it is set at $0) because they felt that these costs are already covered by the expensive building permit. Mitigation costs are more significant as a deterrent, e.g., for a 36” tree, mitigation could be up to $3000, whereas if the fee were set at $10 / inch DBH, the removal fee would only be $300. This amendment, if passed, would force the Selectmen to set a fee. It was noted that the monies collected would be a “fee for service”; they would not be added to the Lexington Tree Fund, but would go into general Town coffers. Therefore Gerry felt that the Tree Committee should take “no position”, as it doesn’t directly affect us. Two members of the committee, Jim Wood and Markus Pinney, were absent, so a formal position on the matter was postponed until they could be polled. However, a straw vote was taken. Results: “Should there be a fee?” Approved 4 ayes and 1 abstention. “Should the fee be set per tree, as a flat fee, or pro-rated per inch of DBH?” A pro-rated fee approved, 4 ayes and 1 abstention. “Should the fee be $5 or $10 per inch DBH?” No consensus; two votes for $5, two votes for $10, and 1 abstention. Other items taken up, in agenda order: Tree removal activity 2a. under the Bylaw: 552 sites/433 closed; 1573 trees to be planted/1102 planted; 658 trees to be removed/488 removed. Inventory 2c. . Anne has sent out a flyer seeking interns for summer 2008 to several colleges. The grant to fund this is still in the works. Tree City USA sign locations 2d. : Pursuant to the analysis sent in Karen’s email, the Tree Committee approved six locations for the signs already obtained. All signs to be placed so they are read by people going towards the Center. 1. Marrett Road at Lincoln St. 2. Bedford Street at the Parker School area 3. Waltham Street just beyond exit ramp from Route 2 4. Mass Ave at Pleasant Street 5. Woburn Street just past the Lowell St intersection 6. Lowell Street and Summer Street intersection th Tree Nursery planting date 2e. . There was general agreement that Jim’s proposed April 12 was too early. Dave is finalizing the list of ten species to obtain from Bailey’s Nursery in Minnesota. He will send out the preliminary list and Committee members will rank order them by email, with preferences from 1 (highest) to 10 (lowest). We noted that smaller sizes would be better, especially for oaks. Article 7, Appropriate for Street Trees 3. . Gerry noted that the Article, asking for $24,000, is in the Warrant. Jeanne noted that the Selectmen will oppose this, as they have prioritized the budget already. Gerry will put together a presentation. The Town Meeting Member Association th information session is on March 5; Gerry will attend and wants others to attend as well. Town th Meeting will start on March 19, and this Article could be taken up the first night. th Belfry Hill 4. . The TMMA information session on CPA projects will be March 11, Cary Hall, 7:30 p.m. Our Belfry Hill proposal is under the “Historic preservation” rubric. We don’t need to present anything, but someone should be there to answer questions. Then Town Meeting will vote on all CPA projects. Tree Management Manual 5. . The Committee voted unanimously to allow the Weston tree committee to use all or part of our Manual, with attribution. Friends of Trees: 6. Gerry noted that FoT wants a tree nursery date as soon as possible. Karen noted that she promoted FoT to the Thursday Night Subgroup of the Lexington Garden Club, when she recently gave them a Power Point presentation on Lexington’s Urban Forest. Gerry received permission to poll the FoT to see if there is anyone who can help us with a website, as the school seems to be taking a very long time. He also asked if Tree Com members can come up with possible sites in Lexington to plant a grove of trees, to make more of an impact. Commemorative tree #5, site 7. : John said he and Dave have tentatively chosen a site on the Common on the Mass Ave planting strip near the statue. They are considering a Lace Bark Elm. Website 8. : There has been some activity this spring, which you can check out on the teacher’s website, http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/Teachers/Harris/LTC/index.htm Pending items 9 and 10 were not taken up. Articles for the newspaper Item 11, or notice re Bylaw changes: Karen has drafted an article on the changes and sent it around by email, asking for input. Meeting closed at 9:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe