HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-13-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
For November 13, 2008
Present: Jeanne Krieger, Gerry Paul, Karen Longetieg, Nell Walker, John Frey, Jim
Wood, Anne Senning, Dave Pinsonneault, Susan Solomon, Jewel Kuljian
1. Jim Wood was appointed scribe and the minutes of October 9, 2008 were
approved as amended.
2. Tree Warden’s agenda items and Bylaw Report:
2.1 Bylaw Report: 618 sites visited, 474 closed, 761 to remove, 529 removed,
1836 to replant, 1162 have been planted. $5540 has been collected in fees
which goes to the General Fund.
2.2 Application for DCR grant completed and sent on Nov 1, 2008. The request
was $3200 for Planting Area Identifcation (Inventory related) and $12971 for
tree planting.
2.3 Implementing Town Meetings vote of $24000 to plant trees the following
actions have taken place: 34 trees purchased, 24 planted and 10 will need to
be planted in a different location than intended due to finding a gas line at the
original site. $14000 has been spent to date.
2.4 Tree site subcommittee to meet on Waltham St. on Friday Nov. 14 at 2:30 PM
2.5 Homeowner-Tree Planting Agreement Draft: Dave Pinsonneault is meeting
with Town Counsel to draft the appropriate language.
2.6 Herbicide application by licensed citizen: Questions that came up
regarded;State license requirement, Insurance requirement, Town equipment
use, and the coordination with the Unions for the use of volunteer labor(non-
union)
The goal for the next year is to develop a program to manage invasive species
on all town land tht can be endorsed by appropriate boards and receive general
permits (i.e. wetlands) to avoid having to seek permission each time there is a
proposal to conduct invasive specie management on town land. Nell
questioned if Bittersweet is the only focus? Gerry suggested multiflora roses
could be included.
2.7 Tree Nursery: Dave Pinsonneault brought a Lexington Tree Nursery Routine
Maintenance Schedule 2009 (which is attached to these minutes). We
discussed the proposal and the recommendations for improving our Tree
Nursery Project. More discussion needs to take place regarding these
recommendations.
Small rodent damage to the base of the trees had been noted and plastic tree
protectors have arrived to be installed. We established Monday 17 Nov
for a Tree Nursery work day with weeding and tree protector installation
will be performed.
We discussed Tree Nursery plantings next year, incorporating as much of the
routine maintenance schedule as possible. We need to set up a special meeting
for tree selection and planting sites. John Frey suggested we order only non-
grafted trees to improve survivability.
3.0 Friends of Trees
3.1 Gerry reported on the Preston road tree removal- 2 trees posted because
they are in the right of way. These were associated with a construction
task.
3.2 Maple street-This is a State road and they control how trees are handled.
3.3 We may need to prepare a separate article for tree planting again this
year. Town Meeting approved $24K last year.
3.4 Jewel said that the two replacement trees for Emery Park will be done
using Garden Club grant money of approximately $410.
4.0 Tree Manual-Nell reported that we have gotten through all text with the
exception of re-numbering. Now awaiting new drawings. Will not use
structural soil drawing because it may be beyond the scope for users of this
manual. Drawings will be done by Thanksgiving and then we can re-
convene. Karen will send text to whole committee as done so far.
Anne proposed that an article in Arnoldia about girdling roots has
implications for our Manual. Should go in “Tree Selection” section. To be
taken up by Manual Sub-Committee.
5.0 Tree removal at Turning Mill Road/128
In association with sound barriers, which will be in Right Of Way. Dave is
working with State as it is a State highway project. Some trees will be
removed but re-planting will be done. Susan reported that some abutters
think trees that are tagged for removal are on their property line or property.
Advised that abutters should call Bill Hadley to get name of Architect or
Engineering firm to protest.
6.0 Tree Warden of the year nomination. Nell will write nomination letter of
Dave P. for Tree Warden of the year. Deadline is Dec 1, 2008.
7.0 Web site-Revisions discussed. Need letter to Minuteman Editor about tree
Web site.
8.0 Committee Photo-Tree committee went to the corner of Mass Avenue and
Bloomfield street for the photo which includes a newly planted green ash
“Patmore” in the photo. A remarkable likeness of all was achieved.
Items Still Pending
9.0 Tree canopy parking lots: a zoning bylaw amendment?
10. Ledgemont proposal: removal of 81 trees 8” dbh & over. Warrant article
postponed until spring town meeting.