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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-13-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Minutes, Meeting of March 13, 2008 meeting opened 1. The at 7:40 a.m. Attendees: John Frey, Chairman, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Jim Wood, Susan Solomon, David Pinsonneault, and Jeanne Krieger. Karen Longeteig was appointed scribe. Minutes of the February meeting were approved as presented. Items taken up, in agenda order: removal activity 2a. Tree under the Bylaw: 556 sites/434 closed; 1591 trees to be planted/1102 planted; 664 trees to be removed/494 removed. 37, Amend Tree Bylaw 2b. Article by requiring Selectmen to set a tree removal fee at greater than $0: Jeanne noted the Selectmen’s position: as a permitting fee, it has to go into the general fund. It will be cumbersome to collect. People are already paying through mitigation requirements, why make them pay twice? It may make for less compliance.” After some discussion, the Tree Committee approved the following position, with 1 abstention: “As fees collected by Article 37 would not go directly to support tree planting, the Tree Committee would therefore much prefer that you support Article 7 which will provide a reliable, consistent and more significant source of funds for trees.” Jim will call on John in Town Meeting to make this statement. John will call the chair of the Appropriations Committee to inform them of our position. Inventory interns 2c. . We have had 5 responses to our invitation to apply for summer internship, 2 grad students and 3 undergrads. We conducted a phone interview with one of the grad students. The committee decided to continue our connection with UEI Boston, even though their support last summer was a little limited. It costs us $1000 but adds to credibility and regional cooperation, plus the loan of hand-held computers. Writers of support letters for the grant application should comply by April 25 for a May 1 deadline. Gerry will ask Friends of Trees to volunteer for inventory work at the beginning of the season, before the interns come on board. th Nursery planting date 2d. Tree – has been set for Saturday, April 26. Dave’s final order (species list) is:Kentucky Coffeetree – 20; Tuliptree – 20; Autumn Spire Red Maple – 10; October Glory Red Maple – 10; Red Sunset Red Maple – 10; Scarlet Oak – 10; Northern Red Oak – 10; Shumard Oak – 10; Japanese Tree Lilac ‘Ivory Silk’ – 20; Lace Bark Elm - ? planting priorities 2e. Street tree : postponed until next meeting. Tree removed near Hancock Church 2f. : Dave reported that it was a hazard tree. Replacement: Matt Foti wants to donate another tree to the Town, and Dave suggested to him that the Hancock Church site would be ideal as there is a good-sized planting strip (berm) there. Article 7, Appropriate for Street Trees 3. . Gerry reported that he, John and Karen had made a presentation to the Appropriation Committee that seemed to be well-received. The Article will be th taken up on or after March 26 (i.e., not the first night). Belfry Hill 4. . At the TMMA information session on CPA projects there were no questions. Belfry project looks favorable for passage. Tree Management Manual 5. . The revision team (Markus, Nell, John, Anne, & Karen) has been working away and is through the Bylaw and up to page 15 in the Manual. Nell noted that it is difficult to get an up-to-date copy of the Bylaw with all the revisions. There are some glitches on the website. EACH MEMBER of the Committee is tasked with trying to get the full copy of the Tree Manual on-line, and to document their steps in a message to “reply all”. Friends of Trees: 6. Gerry noted that FoT is helping with lobbying effort for our Article at Town meeting. Commemorative tree #6, site 7. : Nell reported that Mrs. Mayo wishes to plant a second Tuliptree in Lincoln Park to honor another family member. There are some problems with the (flooded) site, so either site or species may have to be changed. Jane Beswick of FoT is handling details. Tree Canopy Requirement: 8. Karen noted that many towns have canopy requirement for parking lots. Our zoning regulations have requirements for screening around the edges. Jeanne noted that the Town has to come up with a storm water bylaw, and canopy, along with other questions of ecological sustainability, may become part of it. John and Karen will pursue further, but they will wait until after Town Meeting. Website 9. : Karen presented copies of an email from Lucy Fletcher-Jones, who has done websites for the Sidewalk Committee and for private businesses including her (Karen’s) own. The email suggested that the Tree Committee’s site be hosted by the Town website, and that Lucy could maintain it for us. She suggested a cost of $100 for six months and then see how it went. After some discussion, the committee voted to pursue this offer. Karen will notify Lucy and ask for an invoice – John will get it paid. Shire tree removal 10. for parking lot: John is going to the Shire meeting. He noted the neighbors are well-organized. Arlex Sugar Maple removal: 11. Dave discussed this with the Arlex owner, and attempted to dissuade him from cutting, but the owner was within his rights to remove them. They were huge trees and the character of the building and the neighborhood is changed for the worse for many years by their loss. Sidewalk meeting: 12. The meeting is on 3/25, not 3/28, at 2008 Mass Ave. Jeanne said it was important for TC members to attend. The sidewalk committee is unfavorably disposed to brick, and if we feel it is best for trees, we should support it. Pending Items: Chestnut tree planting 13: on conservation land: Meeting time ran out. See separately sent item from post-meeting discussion. Request it at head of agenda next time. Article for newspaper re Bylaw changes 14: : not taken up. Meeting closed at 9:35 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe