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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-10-TREE-min Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee Meeting of April 10, 2008 1. Anne Senning appointed as scribe. Minutes of March 13, 2007 amended and approved. 2.Present: John Frey, Chairman; Karen Longeteig; Jeanne Krieger, Selectman Liaison; Gerry Paul; David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden/Superintendent of Public Grounds; Anne Senning; Susan Solomon, emerita; Jim Wood; Jewel Kuljian, guest. Absent: Nell Walker. 3. Resignation of Markus Pinney acknowledged with appreciation for the work he has contributed to the Committee. 4. Tree Warden/Superintendent of Public Grounds Report: David Pinsonneault a. Tree removal applications and activity: 568 calls/440 closed out, 688 trees to be removed/502 removed, 1653 trees to be planted/1112 planted. b. Belfry Hill CPA project approved by Town meeting: funds available 7/1/08 Matt Foti plans to remove 21 large Norway maples post leaf drop and when ground freezes, fall 2008 c. Tree Inventory 2008 Challenge grant application; intent to apply approved, full application due 5/1/08, support letters due 4/18/08. Five good student candidates interviewed; John will help reviewing references. d. Tree Nursery: planting day 4/26/08, 9-1, tag writing 4/14/08 9 am DPW, hole-digging 4/22/08 on site e. Street tree planting priorities: Planting strips at least 4’ wide by 4’ long and not under wires may be identified as potential planting sites for new tree installations in the Town center. A subcommittee will be forming to identify potential planting areas. When trees are planted they will be entered in the tree inventory. f. Arbor Day 4/25/08 11 am: A Ceremony planned by the Lexington Field and Garden Club will be at Cary Library followed by the planting of a Club donated Heritage Birch behind the sidewalk on Clarke Street toward the property line of Hancock condominiums. The Ceremony will then continue to the planting strip in front of Hancock Church/Mass Ave. where Matt Foti will donate and plant another Arbor Day tree. g. 44”White Oak at 61 School St: Hearing held 4/14/08, John Frey, Karen Longeteig, Jim Wood, Anne Senning attended, tree to be removed due to hazard during sewer line upgrade. Seven shade trees to be planted with project funds on School St, one near site of removal. h. Commemorative tree #5 lacebark elm near Minuteman statue donated by Cynthia Johnson for her husband Brian Susnock, #6 donated by Mayo, location to be determined, #7 donated by Cynthia Johnson and her husband Brian Susnock in memory of James Sheehy, species to be determined, located on Town Green across from Unitarian Church. i. Tree City USA annual meeting is 5/1/08 at Elm Bank in Wellesley, RSVP to Eric Seaborn, cc. David Pinsonneault, 3 attendees to be determined. j. Other spring Tree plantings: LF&GC grant; 1 Magnolia Centennial, 2 Yellowwood, 3 Sourwood on Meriam St, 3 Sourwood on sites to be determined. LF&GC obtained 3 extra trees, due to size and availability. East Lexington: 2 elms, Robbins Cemetery, 1 red maple, bus stop near Sacred Heart donated by the E. Lexington Community Association. 4. ARTICLE 7: Town Meeting approved $24,000 appropriation for Street Trees 3/31/08. Discussion as to where appropriation may be funded: The Selectmen have narrowed their recommendation from 8 possible sources to two, both of which are program improvements incorporated into the proposed FY09 budget cemetery improvement account and/or liability insurance account. Complexities explored. No recommendation made. 5. Thank you note to Lexington Tree Fund Donors: Susan Solomon will compose, John Frey will sign, Lynne Pease will send out on Tree Committee stationery. 6. Tree Manual update: Karen Longeteig has asked Markus for the master e-file. Sub group will meet post 4/16/08. 7. Friends of Trees: Next Bittersweet Eradication Day 5/10/08. 8. CBD sidewalks: Discussion of Massachusetts Ave installation, proposed Muzzey St installation, type of structural soil. John Frey to speak at Town meeting 4/14/08 in support of Muzzey St installation as viable support for street trees. 9. Tree Committee Web Site: postponed 10. Shire tree removal: postponed 11. Chestnut tree planting: postponed 12. Newspaper articles: Karen Longeteig distributed a proposed draft of an article on the Tree Bylaw. 13. Tree canopy in future parking lots, a zoning bylaw amendment: postponed Next regular meeting: May 8, 2008 7:30 am, Room 111