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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-09-TREE-minTown of Lexington Lexington Tree Committee Minutes May 9, 2013 A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on May 9, 2013, 7:30 -9:50 a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was present. Members Present: John Frey (chair), Karen Longeteig, Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, Jim Wood, Nell Walker Members Absent: Deborah Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Gerry Paul (traveling) Ex- officio: Chris Filadoro, Public Grounds Superintendent The committee members acted on the following items: 1. Karen Longeteig was appointed as scribe, and the minutes of the meeting of April 11, 2013, were approved as presented. 2. Nursery tree evaluation of 4/17: members of the tree committee and the DPW crew and machine evaluated trees by digging up one of each "ageing -out" species, and if it was root - bound, taking out all of its cohort. Many trees had to be composted; some had been in the Nursery as long as six years, since 2007. 3. Tree requests for street & setback trees: Jewel has distributed reports on setback requests. . Chris said the crew is currently planting expeditiously. To date, there are 28 trees scheduled for planting this spring with more in process, up from her usual 20. Anne and John have visited 20 sites and placed 14 trees, but most have been setback trees. The book of records of these trees are kept in DPW files at the front desk. 3a: Ordering bare -root trees for direct planting into street in the FALL: Jim gave us a list of 70 trees; after some discussion it was reduced to 60: Ten each of Little Leaf Linden, Honey Locust, Amur Maakia, Japanese Tree Lilac, Serviceberry single stem, American Smoketree male plants. He is asking for delivery the 1 St or 2nd week of November. Size: 1.5" caliper. It was noted that townspeople generally do not want oaks on or near their properties. 4. Town Hall entrance re- planting: Chris asked the designer from Weston Nursery to take a look at the area. The TC expressed a preference for replanting the mountain laurels and witchhazels only, and otherwise keeping it simple. 5. Better tree tags: Ann brought samples of engraved anodized aluminum tags. They cost $15 each for smaller ones, and $20 for larger Commemorative Tree tags. As we have been having such poor results with every other type of tag we have tried, the TC voted to approve the purchase of such tags. They will be individually manufactured with specific tree identifications. The TC voted to try the tags for 1 year, then re- evaluate. 6. Tree removals: Chris said he will have to get back to us on this. 7. Buckman Tavern Walnut disappearance: Chris said the tree had developed a large crack, and was hanging over the roof of the historic Tavern, so his men took it down. The news was greeted with varying reactions of joy and sadness. 8. 11 Castle Road: the homeowners have still not gotten back to Jewel, so the TC felt we should drop the matter. 9. Arbor Day: Chris reported that Tree City USA signs have been installed on several entry streets. The ceremony was a success. The DPW provided White Pine seedlings which were distributed to attendees. Chris noted that there will be a MA -DCR sponsored symposium from 9 to 3 at Wheelock College, Brookline, on Wednesday, June 5. 10. On -line publication of Tree Management Manual, 3 rd edition: Karen delivered Anne's file directly to Candy McLoughlin, and it is now on -line on the TC website. Chris noted that paper copies are available at the main DPW desk for $10. 11. Tree medallion sales — have been slow. Karen said she saw little return for any more "in person" sales efforts. We have been to 3 or 4 Town Meeting sessions, 2 Garden Club meetings, and a League of Women Voters meeting on conservation. Karen turned in $195 to Lynne Pease this week, and will try to get a total from her soon. Future efforts should be publicizing it on the Lexington list, the TC website, and perhaps the High School listserv. 12. Cumberland Farm landscaping: John has continued discussions with the developer, and got them to eliminate a 10' high fence at the back of the property, a visually overwhelming prospect which would also have shut out much light for plantings in front of it. 13. Other: The TC noted two sites for Chris to check out: Linmoor Terrace, where a neighbor said the builder had clear cut to within 3 feet of the line, and had found the Town unresponsive when he complained. Another site is Zero Hillcrest, where a wood lot was clear cut. There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe Next regular meeting: June 13, 2013, 7:30 a.m. in DPW's Room 125