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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-10-TREE-min Minutes-Lexington Tree Committee Meeting of July 10, 2008 draft JK Present at the meeting: John Frey, Chairman; Jeanne Krieger, Selectman Liaison; David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden/Superintendent of Public Grounds; Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Gerry Paul, Jewel Kuljian, Jim Decoulos, Environmental Engineer representing St. Nicholas Greek Church, Lexington, Guest; Rob Addelson, Town of Lexington Comptroller, Guest; Blaize Denfield and Jonathan Penney, Summer Interns from Clark University. 1. Jewel Kuljian appointed scribe. June 5 and July 10 minutes are to be approved at the next meeting. 2. Tree Warden's agenda items: David Pinsonneault a) Tree Removal applications and activity: 587 sites/454 closed; 712 to remove/514 removed; 1,721 to plant/ 1,131 have been planted. b) Tree removal (2) Oakland Street, Mr. James Decoulos, Jeanne, Dave. Mr. Decoulos informed the Committee about the renovation to take place at the church to improve the mechanicals in the kitchen, moving the Priest's office to the secondary basement entrance on Oakland Street and the handicapped entrance designed parallel to the sidewalk. Drawings were presented to the Committee. The request was to remove two trees, both on Oakland Street, one 30” sugar maple and one 10” Norway Maple. The large tree at the corner of Oakland and Meriam St. is to remain in place. This is contingent with replacing the two trees with four new trees (town minimum size is 3” caliper). Several other considerations were discussed. It was suggested that the grade of the sidewalk on Oakland Street be discussed on the day of the hearing. The sidewalk reconstruction is to be planned jointly by the town and the church. A 4 ' planting strip using structural soil will be considered with Wayne Brooks. Another question raised was about improving the soil around the tree on the corner located near the sidewalk/street. The date of the hearing is July 29 at 9 AM. c) Tree Inventory Progress, Anne Senning. Anne introduced the interns and reported that the major goals for this season have already been met. Massachusetts Avenue, Bedford Street, Waltham Street, Woburn Street and Worthen Road have all been done. Work on side streets is done in the afternoon to be away from the noise and traffic. Lowell Street (town/state) may be done and work is currently being done on the southern side of town. d) Tree Nursery. Staking, Jim. Not reported at this meeting. e) Commemorative tree #6, a Tulip Tree is to be planted next week (Mayo). f) Policy clarification: Trees paid for by homeowner, planted by Town. David Pinsonneault will develop a one-page agreement to clarify the responsibility of the owner and the town so this process is clear. A copy of this agreement will be included in the updated Tree Manual. g) Belfry Hill project: Anne. The Norway Maple trees have been marked for removal in the fall. The abutters have been informed and received a copy of the Belfry Hill Tree Restoration Project sheet developed by Anne. This will be posted in several locations in town to inform the public about the project. st h) John on vacation 8/14/08. Meeting date changed to August 21. (continue on reverse side) 8:30 AM 3. : Trees as capital expense? Rob Addelson. Rob stated that it is not acceptable to use bonds to fund trees. Chapter 44 law states clearly that it is not acceptable solely for trees. Examples of items that can be used are capital equipment, schools, computer hardware, etc. He did say that if trees are an ancillary component to a project then this type of funding can be used. i.e. for a building construction project or major road construction project. The Tree Committee can meet with committees planning new projects where trees can be an ancillary component/funding. It was suggested that Bill Hadley of the Department of Public Works be invited to a Tree Committee meeting in September or October regarding street reconstruction, trees, and sidewalks. It was suggested that Chris McVeigh also be invited to a meeting to discuss the Traffic Calming Project in Lexington. 4. Farmers Market (Green Way) booth for Tree Committee, 2 PM – 6:30 PM Tuesday. Karen, Anne, Gerry, John, etc. Possibly because of hot and humid weather it was reported that the Farmers Market had fewer people in attendance. There was lots of information given out and nine new sign-ups for Friends of Trees were obtained. This event should be repeated next summer and perhaps hold a raffle for a tree. 5 Tree Manual update. (on hold until September) Karen, Nell, Anne, John, Jewel. 6. Friends of Trees;(Gerry Paul, Anne, John, all). The issue of tree cutting in new developments was discussed, especially very large old trees. Gerry Paul will contact Toby Sackton and/or J.J. to attend a meeting as representative of the Carbon Action Planning Committee. 7. A future agenda item suggested for a Tree Committee Meeting is to discuss trees over a certain size that are not covered under the current Bylaw. Locate the number of trees and species involved. 8. Other: Karen Longeteig reported that the Tree committee web site has been accepted to be on the Town of Lexington web site. Items Pending : 9. Tree canopy in future parking lots, a zoning bylaw amendment? 10. Articles for newspaper: (2f above) Policy clarification: Trees paid for by homeowner, planted by town) all. Article thanking Lexington Field and Garden Club for grant of $1,500 to plant street trees. Jewel and Bobbie Best of LFGC. Next Tree Committee Meeting: August 21, 2008, 7:30 AM in Room 111.