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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-09-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts 201 Bedford Street, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125 Minutes of October 9, 2014 Meeting Attendees: John Frey (Chairman), Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, Jim Wood, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Chris Filadoro (Supt Public Grounds) and Ginna Johnson (Liaison to the Tree Committee from the Planning Board). Karen Longeteig was appointed as scribe. 1. The meeting was opened at 7:30 a.m. Minutes of the September 11 meeting were th reviewed and approved as amended. 2. By-law Tree removal applications and activity: Chris Filadoro said that by and large, contractors are aware of and are cooperating with Bylaw regulations. He recently got a check for $9000 because the contractor could not replant on site all trees required by the Bylaw. 3. The committee adjourned briefly outside for a photo for the Towns Annual Report. 4. Progress on hiring contractor to complete Tree Inventory. Although Chris has contacted three companies, he has had no response. It was suggested he try Davey Tree Company. If there is no response by January, we should prepare advertisements to Clarke and/or Harvard students. The Cambridge City inventory was prepared by Harvard students. 5. Locations of two of the Tuliptrees from the Spring 2014 planting: Joel Custance reported through Chris that they had been planted in Westview Cemetery. 6. Lists of bareroot trees to order for Fall 2014 and Spring 2015: Jim Wood reported that the Schichtels Fall list will be repeated as the list for the Spring. 7. Screening behind Lexington Toyota: Chris and Joel visited the site and identified a few site problems with the replanting of seven White Spruce. In the end they found enough space between a large existing sewer line and the property line fence to plant 5 or 6, while still leaving room to mow around them to keep the Japanese Knotweed from overwhelming. They will find homes for the extra Spruce. Ginna Johnson suggested mowing Knotweed in August when it is blooming, as providing a better chance of killing it. 8. Nell Walkers Commemorative Grove: Matt Foti says we need to wait to plant after two hard frosts. Permission/advisement needs to go to the Town Recreation Committee, which has jurisdiction over Lincoln Park where the grove will be placed. Jim will prepare some language; Chris will bring it to the Recreation Committee. John Frey and Anne Senning met with Nell on site and placed a stake. Anne showed a mock-up of an interpretive sign to be used there, in the same style as existing park signage. The TC agreed to the title of Nell Walkers Vision. The wording will be circulated through DPW and the Rec Dept by John. 9. Care of significant trees: the very large European Beech in front of the Visitors Center is in trouble; 1/3 dead. Treatment would be expensive ($5-6K) and is of dubious utility, plus the dead parts would have to be trimmed out which would destroy the form and beauty of the tree. Chris will not rush to remove it; he may wait until next spring until it looks even more significantly dead. If the towns citizens perceive it as without hope, they will better understand need for removal of this beloved tree. The TC appointed a subcommittee of John, Karen, Ginna and Chris to take a look at the whole area and make a two-year planting plan to replace it. Karen will try to set a date convenient to all in late Fall or early Winter. It was recommended that this group review the Battle Green Master Plan. Results are requested by the end of February, 2015. 10. Hancock Street Beech tree protection: Chris spoke to the owner of the property about taking steps to improve the trees situation following recent construction. The owner noted that he will call Matt Foti for recommendations. 11. Norway Maple street tree removal hearing at #1 Carley Road. No objections were voiced to the abutters request to remove it, but they must do it at their own expense. The Town will grind the stump and restore the berm, which had been partially, and probably illegally, paved over. 12. Possible sale of tax-title land to owner of 26 Laconia St: The TC had previously made a recommendation that the hickories on the property be preserved, but after discussion,we realized that this was unenforceable. Therefore we now recommend that the tax-title property NOT be sold, as keeping it as town property is the only way that trees would be protected. Other entities which might back this view are the Conservation Commission, the Conservation Stewards, the Planning Board, the Greenway committee, Sustainable Lexington, and the Citizens for Lexington Conservation. Gerry Paul will draft a letter, circulate it, and give it to John to sign from the whole TC. 13. The Tree Committee report for the 2014 Town Report was submitted on time and under budget (word count). 14. Tree replanting on south side of Mass Ave: Chris said there was no official plan yet; he consulted with Matt Foti who advised that we could remove and replant in the same tree well locations in the spring. There is no underground watering line. Watering issues: The center trees in question were not watered in the summer of 2013; in the summer of 2014 they were watered. Many now failing. The TC feels that the needle watering system is too slow, and different systems need to be developed, as well as thorough record-keeping to indicate which trees need attention. 15. Documenting the fall tree planting: Karen will send Anne the list she prepared for medallion hanging purposes; it appears also to be the years planting record too. Jewel prepared a chart for Julie LaFlamme for the upcoming fall planting as a way of recording the process for each of thebareroot trees: 20 American Linden Legend, 10 Tree Lilacs Ivory Silk, and 10 Kentucky Coffee Trees. The chart headers include DPW Contact, Address of Planting, Dig Safe, Tags On, Date Planted, and FID#. Julie keeps a copy of this in a Fall 2014 Tree Planting Book. Chris has been given a copy. 16. Other: Nell Walker wishes to be an Honorary Member now; therefore the TC is one member short. Our Committee is included in the Town advertisement asking for volunteers. Some discussion was held about possible new members. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe Next regularly scheduled meeting: November 13, 2014, 7:30 AM at DPW, 201 Bedford Street, Room 125.