HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-12-TREE-min
Town of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on March 12, 2015 at the Samuel Hadley Public Services
Building.
Members Present: John Frey(Chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen, Jim
Wood.
Guest: Nancy S. Seasholes
Members Absent: Chris Filadoro(Public Grounds Superintendent, Tree Warden), Peter Kelley (Selectman Liaison).
1. Jewel Kuljian was appointed as scribe. Minutes of February 12 were approved as amended.
2. Bylaw Tree removal applications and activity. Chris, postponed.
3. Completion of Tree Inventory. Chris, postponed.
4. Finalize list of trees to plant Spring 2015.
Jim presented the current selections chosen from the Schichtel Nursery Spring 2015 bareroot trees. Seventy trees
were selected from this list for setback and street trees. The order will be checked for availability of the species
chosen and adjusted as needed. Final species ordered will be sent to theTree Committee as approved by Chris
Filadoro. To place orders in a timely way in the future, it is suggested a separate Tree Committee Meeting be held as
soon as the bareroot order form is available.
5. Tree Management Manual Revision(disposal of infected trees).
John and Anne have been working on the Tree Management Manual revision as requested by Dave Pinsonneault.
This work is needed to make a recommendation about how to dispose of infected trees from public and private
property. This includes decisions about trees with Asian Longhorn Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer as well as other
infected trees How to enforce decisions is central to this work. It will take some time for a draft to be presented. Anne
and Jim will work on a draft. One suggestion offered is to consider the Federal Government to take over trees with
Asian Longhorn Beetle and Ash Borer infections. This is under consideration. For other infections it is a matter of how
to enforce or control and whether there would be a fine.
6. a. Decision on proposed tree removal at 16/18 Homestead St. Chris, postponed.
b. Draft of policy statement on requests for removal of Town trees for Committee review..
Gerry presented a draft of the above policy statement. “The Tree Committee objects to the removal of non-invasive
Town street trees as referenced in Section IX. of the Tree Manual. For removal of invasive species, on a case by
case basis, the Committee may accept, as mitigation for the tree removal, the replanting of trees of total DBH
equivalent to that removed either in the right-of-way, front setback area or another location approved by the Tree
Committee. Replanting would be at the property owner’s expense. Species for replanting would be deciduous shade
trees.” Gerry will refine. The contract has not been signed to do the removals.
7. Concord Ave. 2/20/15 tree hearing: Review of site meeting and subsequent informal meetings/discussions with
Town Engineer and Concord Ave. resident.
Subsequent to the above tree hearing on a very cold day John, Anne, Gerry and resident Nancy Seasholes met with
John Livsey on March 4th, Some facts are: The project will fund planting new trees in new locations to replace the
number of trees removed. The Town wants to begin construction for this project in mid April. Six trees are to be
looked at again for a second opinion to determine “the feasibility of saving trees as to its health and a reasonable life
time”. The town did not ask for any easements. More communication from the Town and Matt Foti is encouraged
regarding this and other projects . Nancy Seasholes will be in further discussion with John Livsey, Dave Cannon and
Chris regarding her objection to the removal of specific trees and other solutions as per her emails on March 4 and
March 6, 2015. John informed the Tree Committee that Pleasant Street and Prospect Hill Road are also scheduled to
be done.
8. Lexington Center trees.
There will be a joint meeting with the Center Committee on April 9 at 9:30 AM in the Parker Room regarding the trees
on the south side of Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington Center.. This will follow the Tree Committee Meeting on the
same morning.
9. Thoughts on planting plan to evaluate/replace the large unhealthy Beech Tree in front of the Visitor Center. No
action; postponed until snow melts.
10. Follow up: Sidewalk replacement policy with respect to tree planting area. Gerry met with Mark Valente and will
be meeting with Dave Pinsonneault.
Next regular meeting: April 9, 2015, 7:30 AM, Reed Room #111 in Town Office Building followed by the Center
Committee Meeting in the Parker Room at 9:30 AM