HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-09-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
201 Bedford Street, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125
Minutes, Meeting of July 9, 2015
Attendees: Nancy Sofen,Jewel Kuljian, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig, Anne Senning, Chris
Filadoro (Superintendant of Public Grounds), Absent: John Frey (Chairman), Jim Wood. Gerry
Paul took his turn as scribe.
1. Karen Longeteig chaired the meeting in John's absence
2. Minutes of the June 11, 2015 meeting were approved.
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3. Tree removal activity – Chris provided an up-to-date list of by-law sites.
4. Saving White Oak at 524 Concord Ave. Jewel, Karen and Chris reported that a meeting with
the home owner was held and the next step is for Chris to provide a letter to the home owner
stating the Town's responsibility for the Town owned tree.
5. Spring 2015 tree planting
a) Chris estimates that 2/3 of the trees have been planted. There have been a 10-12
requests for replacement of setback trees which have not survived.
b) Joel will send the maps of trees planted this spring to Anne in digital form.
c) Chris will not pursue rebates for root bound trees at this time.
d) Jim relayed via Jewel the information that Schictel's tree availability list for the fall will
be available in late August or early September.
6. Tree Management Manual revision (disposal of infected trees). Anne reported that selected
portions of state and federal regulations will be incorporated into the Tree Manual with links to
the full regulations.
7. Tree inventory
a) Nancy will contact Trumbull Barrett to see if he is interested in this work. Other
members may contact arborists they are familiar with.
b) Jewel provided information on the NYC tree planting program. There was discussion
about using the NYC list of approved trees as a basis for a list for Lexington. Members
were encouraged to visit the NYC site:
nycgovparks.org/trees/street-tree-planting
8. Mass Ave sidewalk replacement - no update.
9. Tree Committee liaisons to other Town committees. Karen will send an email to Ginna
Johnson with copies to Charles Hornig (chair) and Aaron Henry (Planning Director) asking that
we be notified of Planning Board agenda items that relate to the Town tree canopy so we can
attend those meetings. It was felt that at this time there was no need for a more interaction with
the Conservation Commission.
10. Tree Committee web page - Nancy Sofen volunteered to be in charge of the Tree
Committee web page. She will contact Candy McLaughlin.
11. Watering - It was felt by the Committee that more watering of recently planted trees is
required. Chris updated us on a plan to request a second truck "watering body (water tank)" in
next year's budget and use seasonal help to man a second watering truck. More discussion is
needed to see if anything more can be done in the short term.
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Next regular meeting: August 13, 2015, 7:30 a.m. at DPW.