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Home My WebLink About2015-06-11-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall Annex Minutes, Meeting of June 11, 2015 Attendees: John Frey (Chairman), Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Jim Wood, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen, Jewel Kuljian. Chris Filadoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds), Susie Barry, Selectmen Liaison. Albert Montgomery, citizen. Karen Longeteig took her turn as scribe. 1. Minutes of the May 14 meeting were approved as Items 4 and 10 were amended. . 2. Tree removal activity – no update, although Chris said he would send it out to the Committee. Chris also reported that the revolving Tree Fund stands at about $40,000, all from mitigation fees collected. Our spending limit this fiscal year is $25,000, but as of FY 2016 it will be raised to $45,000. 3. Cost of Arbor Day tree from SelectHorticultureInc. Of Lancaster: The Red Oak cost between $500 and $600. 4. Tree inventory contractor: Waiting to hear from Davey Tree Co., but it will be Fall before we do. 5. Spring Tree Planting: Delayed by late spring weather and damage repair from historic winter. Catching up on removals, replacing fall-planted Redbuds which didn’t make it. Initial list for Dig Safe has been done. Christ would like to plant around schools and ball fields. Susie Barry asked him to coordinate with Pat Goddard about building plans, of which there are many, so he doesn’t plant trees that will be removed in a few years. a. Progress: Twelve or 13 trees out of the 70 have been planted; others are heeled in and being watered at DPW which is more convenient than at Tree Farm site. b. Another volunteer for Setback planting? Nancy volunteered to help Jewel with this. c. Not taken up d. Rebate status of root-bound trees: Joel took photos of these container trees and Chris will send to Shicktel and ask for rebate. 6. Al Montgomery, Lexington citizen, attended the meeting to point out that there are four street trees on Middleby between Outlook and Bridge, and all are declining. He had pictures.(see attached email) This area will not be impacted by any sidewalk construction. Chris asked him to send an email formally requesting tree removals and planting. 7. Disposal of infected trees protocol: John and Anne are working on this. 8. Antony Park trees: Chris reported that last fall, the DPW was asked to go pick up 14 donated Ironwood trees at Seasons 4, and plant them, which they did. This spring, most of them were dead; Chris thinks they can save only 2 or 3. He thinks they were ordered too early and sat around. The whole project is underfunded (although Susie Barry reported that A.P. just got a $5000 grant). Some TC members felt that public money (i.e., Tree Fund money) should not go to support a private project; there were about $10,000 worth of trees that failed. Others felt that the sight of dead trees, in a very visible site, reflects poorly on the Town, and that Antony Park after all is part of the public land (in Tower Park). Chris said that tree planting, however it happens, would be best result for the Town. A motion that the funding source be confirmed by the Selectmen failed. 9. Concord Avenue trees: no report 10. Planning for next Town Meeting: Susie reported that there will be a Special Town Meeting in the 1 st or 2 nd week of November, mostly about school building projects. 11: Appointment of liaisons: not taken up due to lack of time. 12. Goals for Selectmen (deadline 6/12/15): It was resolved that John should send a note to the Selectmen, to wit: The Tree Committee thanks the Selectmen and Town Manager for their continuing support. With the anticipated increase in the number of public projects over the next five years, the Tree Committee strongly encourages the Board of Selectmen to maintain and increase the tree canopy throughout the Town. We would appreciate being made aware, in a timely manner, of any projects which will affect, positively or negatively, the Town tree canopy. We look forward to your support in the future. Other: Sidewalk replacement on Mass Ave: Gerry noted that the DPW has long had a “replace in kind” policy for sidewalk repair/replacement. However, on Mass Ave between Bloomfield and Percy is a sidewalk, slated for replacement this summer, which is 9 feet wide and paved to the curb. To replace in kind would mean eliminating the possibility of street tree planting strips or even tree pits, now and for long into the future. Therefore, Gerry, accompanied by Jim and Karen, met with Dave Pinsonneault on 6/9/15 to request that a planting strip be left unpaved, even if it can’t be planted out with trees this year. Dave agreed, and said they would leave 4 feet unpaved, next to the curb. If he can find the money he will upgrade the soil with Structural Soil now, and if not, he will upgrade it next year so it can be planted with trees. It will contribute positively to a “leafy avenue” leading into the Center. 13: Tree Committee adjourned to a Joint meeting with Center Committee, Parker Room, 9:15 a.m. Chris reported that we thought 6 of the Center trees were dead last fall, but now two seem to have recovered. There are still 2 dead in front of Ride Café, and 2 on the Michelson block. John stated that the TC thinks that to replace the Linden trees on the North Side of Mass Ave (CVS side) would be a mistake, even if they are not in the best shape. Longevity has given them size and “presence” which would take years to replace. On the South side, our consulting arborist, Matt Foti, reported that cause of death was likely insect damage and drought (it seems the trees were not watered enough in summer 2013). We are looking at replacement with 3-4” caliper London Plane Trees. DPW will need to ensure that structural soil stays intact in the Michelson block, noting that there was never structural soil installed in front of Ride Café. They will try to minimize compaction, which contributed to tree decline, with regular air spading, injected water, and/or other means. Chris will ask Matt Foti if there could be other different cultural practices to preserve these trees. General consensus was that we should not install iron tree grates. Jerry Michelson wondered if the Parklet in front of Ride Café should be moved, because the trees there died, possibly from foot traffic compaction. Chris replied that the Parklet structure is custom built and sized for that spot, making it possible to install and uninstall it efficiently, and would have to be rebuilt if moved to a different site. His current schedule is to replant Center trees in mid-July, ensuring extra watering. The failing Beech tree in front of Visitor’s Center: Ginna Johnson said there needs to be an overall plan for the area before any removal/ replacement of the Beech. Chris noted that the tree actually looks a bit better this year than last, so he is holding off on removal to see how it goes. He would also like to see final plans for the projected remodeling of the Visitors’ Center to know how it might impact trees. Jerry Michelson noted that the Lexington Field & Garden Club deserves a big thank you from everyone for their impressive upkeep of Depot Square trees and landscaping. The Tree Committee members left the joint meeting at 10:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Longeteig, Scribe pro tem Next regular meeting: Thursday, July 9, 2015, 7:30 a.m. at the DPW