HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-09-TREE-min
Minutes of the Lexington Tree Committee Meeting October 9, 2008
Present: John Frey, Chairman; David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden; Committee
members: Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nell Walker.
Absent: Jeanne Krieger, Jim Wood
1. Appoint Nell Walker as scribe and approve the minutes of Sept. 13, 2008.
2. Tree Warden’s agenda items and Bylaw report: David Pinsonneault
a} Bylaw report: 615 sites visited/470 closed; 754 to remove/522
removed; 1,814 to replant/1,156 have been planted. As of 8/4/08
$4200 collected in fees, which goes to the General Fund.
b) (1) The $7200 award recently received from DCR for our April 2008 grant
application must be used October 2008 forward.
(2) New DCR grant available: The state encourages us to select
planting areas (neighborhoods) where tree planting is welcomed.
Mapped planting sites are available on Grant, Fletcher and Mass. Ave.
The 2008 intern inventory documentation is the basis for a planting plan.
Anne, John and David are in charge of the grant application, due 11/1/08.
c) 2008 fall tree planting locations: 34 sites are designated on major
streets: Mass. Ave., Waltham St. and Worthen Rd. A crew working
from detailed inventory maps selected sites for fall and spring planting.
Project is funded by the $24,000 tree budget voted by Town Meeting.
d) Homeowner Tree planting agreement. D. Pinsonneault drafted specs
enabling owners to request a tree in their front yard. The tree will be the
sole responsibility of the property owner after one year. The draft was
accepted and will be incorporated into the Tree Manual after Town
Counsel looks into the legal aspects.
e) Tree Nursery : Dave P. wants to postpone 2009 spring additions. We
should be charting the survival rate, doing more operational planning
and maintenance and looking at good nursery practices. Example:
rodent damage to stems is evident and needs a solution such as
expandable trunk guards. Management options should be discussed.
f) Bittersweet Eradication Day Sept. 20: Volunteers cut down many
large vines near Middleby Rd./Bridge School, but no volunteer had a
license to apply herbicide. Next Bittersweet Day: Sat. 10/25/08.
g) Discusssion w/Dave Cannon (postponed)
3. Gerry Paul and FOT are working on more extensive plans re invasives, perhaps
using the Lincoln Park invasive management plan, now underway, as a model.
4.Tree Manual revision subcommittee meeting: Tues., Oct. 14 @2:30 p.m.
5. Ian Murphy (Lexington Minuteman) wants to write a piece about outstanding local
trees. John will call him with info about the English Beech on Buckman Tavern and
Visitor Center grounds.
6. Tree Warden of the Year nomination is due Dec. 1, 2008. Nomination papers are
available at Town Hall or from John Frey.
7. Web site now has host because Candy McLaughlin expedited its incorporation into
the town website. Website address is www.Lexington.ma.gov/committee/tree.cfm
8. Committee photo postponed. Suggested site next meeting (if enough members) at
intersection of Bloomfield St. and Mass. Ave. where a new ‘Patmore’ Green Ash is due
to be planted soon in the sidewalk berm.
Other: Jewel Kuljian reported that the defunct Dogwood at Emery Park can be replaced
by the Lexington Field and Garden Club.
Next regular meeting: November 13, 2008 7:30 AM in Room 111