HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-08-TREE-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes of November 8, 2012
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on November 8, 2012 at 7:30 AM at
the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, room 125.
Members Present: Chris Filadoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds), John Frey (Chair)
Jewel ku1iian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Jim Wood, Nell Walker.
Friends of Trees: Jane Beswick
Members absent: Deb Manger (Selectmen Liaison)
1. Jim Wood was appointed as Scribe. Minutes of October 11, 2012 were approved as
corrected.
2. 300 Anniversary Tree Medallion Sales: Karen Longeteig is working with the Visitors
Center to set up sales there.A description of what the medallion represents has been
prepared by Karen and will be provided with the medallions for sale. Karen is looking
into selling them at the Crafty Yankee and at the Special Town Meeting on November
19, 2012 We also discussed honoring staff members who work closely with us, with
Medallions. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
3. Tree Management Manual Progress: Anne Senning presented the current (our second
revision) edition of the Tree Management manual ready for printing. Jane Beswick
offered a change to move the Undesirable Tree list to the end of the tree list in Section
V B. Printing of the manual was approved by the Committee unanimously, as modified.
4. Tree Warden Agenda Items:
a) Bylaw Tree Removal applications and activity monthly report will be emailed to
John Frey for inclusion in these minutes. Chris noted that people are getting more
cooperative in our process of tree removal applications.
b) Budget/Forestry Division update- DPW has put in the FY 2014 budget for one
additional full time employee and 2 part time summer employees. Gerry Paul
suggested making tree planting a line item, similar to Snow Removal, to insure we
meet the Tree Planting /Maintenance objectives.
c) Tree Bylaw amendment proposal for spring warrant article placeholder. We have 3
candidates. 1) Increased fines for the cutting of Public Trees as written by Jim Wood.
Jim will send the current version to committee members so we can vote it up or down at
our next meeting. 2) G. Paul suggested we change the mitigation/ replanting
requirements from 1 inch for each 2 inches cut to a 1 inch for 1 inch ratio to further
discourage the cutting down of trees. 3) G. Paul suggested we revisit the fixed setback
approach to what defines a tree in the setback area for a possible change. 4) G. Paul
suggested, after contacting Bill Lahey about the possibility of writing a Bylaw to
achieve the following and receiving an affirmative reply: The Tree Warden may deny
the cutting down of Trees if there is a reasonable way to accomplish the building or
driveway or for any other purpose without cutting down the requested trees.
d) Recently planted London Plane Tree cut down at the High School Fitzgerald Field.
Chris F. said he was not familiar with who may have done this. Karen L. will check
with the High School to determine why the tree was cut down. This tree was planted
bythe Tree Committee.
e) Dig Safe notification improvement update. Jim W. took care of the Dig Safe call for
the Larchmont spruce trees. He further established a "Contractor ID Number, 73137,
for the Tree Committee. Jim W. volunteered to call Dig Safe for future Tree Committee
plantings. Chris F. approved this and Anne S. will provide details of what Dig Safe
information we need.
f) Update: Fall 2012 /Spring 2013 setback trees -All fall setback trees have been planted
except for those postponed and /or scheduled for spring because the particular species
are not suitable for fall planting. Jewel will put an article in the newspapers at the
appropriate time to invite residents to request a setback tree for their property by
contacting the DPW.
g) Fall tree planting update. Chris F. reported Fall Tree planting not completed.
Superstorm Sandy impacted his schedule. He will try for contractor augmentation to
Forestry Staff efforts to complete.
h) Tree Planting spaces update, Anne S. said we have sufficient tree spaces identified
for 2013 spring planting.
i) Tree Management Manual Third Edition progress. Covered in item 3 above.
j) 38 Somerset Road. 5 WWII memorial trees threatened by possible development of
this property by establishing two separate lots. The neighbor contacted Jewel K. and
John F. Jewel will contact the concerned abutter (Margaret Gibbons) to suggest she
contact her neighbor about her concerns as well as the Historical Society. John has
given the neighbor the Veteran Affairs Officer's name, Ryan Lennon, as a contact. This
is a situation involving private land.
k) Annual Report. Our annual report was submitted with Jewel's photo to Lynne
Pease, who said the photo is fine.
1) Nursery. Anne will make some recommendations, with rationale for doing. All
members are invited to do the same. The Sourwoods planted on Meriam Street will
receive fencing to protect them from both sidewalk and parking lot snow removal. This
will be installed by Jewel K., Gerry P, and Jim W. on Thursday, 15 Nov at 8AM.
m) Commemorative tree for J and M Nickles now to go on Traffic Island. Dig Safed?
Planting Date? Action -leave tree healed in at the Nursery, and plant in the Spring.
n) Tree City USA application due 12/31/12. Chris F. is working on the application.
5. 5 Whittier Road- Chris F. spoke with owner - abutter has an issue with cutting down 6
white pines. Owner of new home wants to replant.
Adjourned at 9:45AM.
Next meeting Dec 13, 2012 at DPW, 201 Bedford St. Rm 125 at 7:30 AM
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Wood