HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-13-TREE-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
September 13, 2012
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on September 13, 2012, 7:30 -9:30
a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was
present.
Members Present: Chris Filadoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds) John Frey (chair),
Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Jim Wood
Members Absent: Deborah Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Nell Walker
Guests: Joelle Gunter (Lexington Citizen), Jane Beswick (Friends of Trees)
Consultants: Bill Hadley, (Director of Public Works), David Pinsonneault, (Public Works
Manager of Operations)
The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Anne Senning was appointed as scribe.
2. Minutes of August 9, 2012 were approved as corrected.
3. Tree Warden Agenda
a. Tree Removal on Woodcliffe Rd
After a lengthy discussion, which included the tree committee, both consultants and the
citizen guest it was concluded that Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds
acted correctly in authorizing the removal and /or replacement or mitigation of the trees in
question on 36 Woodcliffe Rd.
b.
Bylaw Tree removal applications and activi
Total calls
776
Total closed
699
Total to remove
965
Total removed
872
Total to plant
2995
Total planted
1886
c. Budget/Forestry division personnel
Chris Filadoro requested that Tree Committee members review each project they have
been involved with during 2012. He would like a report that includes a. what has been
successful and b. what work has been impacted by not having enough forestry staff. The
information should then be returned to Gerry Paul by 9/20/12, who will compile it into a
report.
d. Fall 2012 /Spring 2013 setback trees
Jewel Kuljian reported that there are 10 setback trees slated for fall 2012 planting and 12
trees for 2013 spring planting. The fall palette is more restricted than in the spring. She
raised a question of a situation where the only location for a setback tree would be 85'
into the property. The Tree Committee discussed the issue and voted not to allow this, as
it violates the intent of the setback tree program.
e. Sourwood Planting/ Meriam St
Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, and Jim Wood of the Tree Committee and Sue Bush from the
Lexington Field and Garden Club with the permission of Chris Filadoro planted three
sourwoods (Oxydendrum arboreum) on Meriam Street near the intersection with the
Minuteman Bikeway.
L Proposal to modify street tree planting procedure to eliminate extra work
caused by homeowner rejections
Anne Senning reported that twelve street trees were planted during the spring. There was
an 80% homeowner refusal rate for having a street tree planted in the right of way in
front of their property in an area of town where street trees were to be planted. For fall
planting in areas where potential street tree locations have been identified, DPW will
send a letter to homeowners notifying them of the street tree planting program. These
homeowners may request to be part of the program to plant a tree in front of their
property by notifying Chris Filadoro by a certain date.
g. Fall street tree palette
Anne Senning described the narrowness of the fall choices for street tree planting
compared to spring. She stated that there are relatively few trees in the nursery that can
be used for fall planting.
4. Emerald Ash Borer
Tree Committee voted to plant the 9 Green Ash that are in the tree nursery. We will
reconsider reordering any more ash trees in light of the information that an Emerald Ash
Borer has been found in Dalton, MA.
5. Bylaw amendment: Mature Tree Valuation
John Frey will secure a placeholder for spring town meeting for this Bylaw amendment
which is being crafted by Jim Wood and Gerry Paul.
6. 300 Anniversary Tree Medallion
Tree Committee voted to purchase 300 Anniversary Tree Medallions and to sell them at
no less than the $10.00 cost to produce them.
7.2012 Tree Management Manual
All the text proofs are ready at the printers. The committee has decided to print a quote
from the tree bylaw with attribution on the back cover. The front and back covers need to
be approved by David Pinsonneault and sent to the printer.
8. Tree Inventory
Anne Senning reported no further progress.
9. Commemorative Tree Program
Jane Beswick reported that one of the Sandra Mayo Tulip Trees is failing. As one of the
Mayo trees has already failed, it may be unproductive to place another Tuliptree in that
location, as the Tuliptrees need a wetter (moist, but well drained) site. Jane will discuss
this with Sandra Mayo. After discussion Chris Filadoro requested that he review the
entire Commemorative Tree Program with Jane to become familiar with the condition of
all of the trees. This includes resolving a location for the John and Marjorie Nickles
Commemorative Tree, with the help of John Frey.
10. Nursery
a. Refund from Sylvan Nursery.
Jim Wood stated that the refund had been received.
b. Planting 2013
Discussion yielded various suggestions for planting in 2013. Regularly purchase trees
that would be good for fall planting such as lindens, honeylocusts, and tree lilacs. Plant
bare root trees directly into the street tree location. Plant spring trees before April 1 Use
the tree nursery only for specialty trees that need particular conditions or a long growing
time.
11. 300th Oak dedication ceremony 5 p.m. 9/22/12 Town Green
All Tree Committee members are requested to attend and participate. After a discussion
plans were finalized.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted, Anne Senning, Scribe
Next regular meeting: October 11, 2012, 7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services
Building, Room 125