HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-10-TREE-min RECEIVED
022 27 Apir, Ipium
TOWN CLERK
Minutes LEXINGTON MA
Lexington Tree Committee
3.10.22
1. Present: Nancy Sofen, Marty Kvaal, Mark Sandeen (Select Board liaison), Marc Valenti (DPW), Gloria Bloom, Pat
Moyer(minutes), Dan Miller(guest), Rick Reibstein, Charlie Wyman (both of Lex. Living Landscapes, Mark Connor,
James Wood, and Barbara Tarrh (guest)
2.The Minutes of February 10 were read and approved.
3. Marc Valenti updated on DPW projects of interest. The University of Vt. Tree canopy survey is still pending,
awaiting most recent Lidar data. The street and other town owned tree inventory done by Arbor-Pro may be
available next week. Spring planting will be carried out by Matt Foti's company. The committee reminded Marc
of our preference for trees which will become large shade trees. Marc answered that suggestions for sites and
species always welcome. We inquired about the state of the requests by homeowners for setback trees. Marc
was not sure of the answer. Marc was needed after this for another meeting.
4. A meeting between Mark C, Gerry, Nancy, and the town IT director went well. We need passwords to get into
ViewPoint Cloud.
5.Discovery Day will occur over Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 2022, 10-3 pm, town center. We will have a
table; DPW will fund the$140 that it will cost for us to be there.
6. We have received an invite from the Garden Club for one or more of us to discuss with them what we do, in
March 2023. We are glad to accommodate; specific plans as the date approaches.
7. We will have a Tree Committee opening with the departure of Marty. We discussed enlarging the committee,
adding associate members,the former of which requires Select Board approval;tabled for now. We unanimously
nominated Barbara Tarrh with hopes that the Select Board will approve her nomination. Gerry Paul will reach out
to Shannon Murtagh who has attended meetings, expressed interest, and also stated she would be willing to be
an associate member should that category be activated.
8. Lex. Conservation Commission has been working with Eversource on a mitigation plan for the deforested area
near Bowman school discussed in prior meetings, and the tree removal having been performed last summer
(2021).Those on the committee aware of the plan mourn the loss of canopy, but feel it is a good plan and that we
should lay the matter to rest for now
9. We distilled 8 areas for action now/near future; and committed to 5.
Initiatives for Discovery Day 5/28/22 10-3 and beyond
Dan Miller Nancy Sofen and Gerry Paul will work on creating 1-2 brochures on the many values of mature trees,
and, perhaps the property value of mature trees. Will postpone a brochure on the setback program until we can
get it to work.
Info packet for new residents
Marty Kvall, Richard Reibstein, and Gerry Paul will work on this; including information about the value of and
care for trees on the property, possibly including advice on tree care and tree care professionals (can the TC do
the latter?).
Create bumper stickers and yard signs
Marty Kvall and Richard Reibstein will work on creating a logo and a snappy saying for bumper stickers and yard
signs, the latter for purchase, hopefully in time for Discovery Day. To donate to this enterprise, contact Marty.
Committee work and Advocacy for a group solution,including trees, for Fletcher Park.
Pat Moyer will join Mark Connor in attending meetings and speaking for trees being part of the final plan.
Developing some sort of Landmark Tree Program and publicity around It.
Pat Moyer and Barbara Tarrh will work on this.
Saving Town and Private Big Shade Trees,work on developing some sort of fund to aid homeowners and
encourage Town Forestry to monitor and treat diseases and life cycle issues of large shade trees, and publicize
same.
Deferred.
Investigating the use of the Tree Fund and the Fund for Lexington to see if some funds can be procured for
projects we favor.
Deferred.
Work with Lexington Living Landscapes to develop library programs to educate the public on tree life, tree
values, tree beauty, etc.
We will continue to work with Lexington Living Landscapes on these programs and identify Tree Committee
members to be involved.
The meeting concluded around 9:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted, Pat Moyer, member