HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-14-TREE-minLexington Tree Committee Meeting via Zoom
Minutes of July 14, 2022
Attending: Gerry Paul (Chair), Gloria Bloom, Jim Wood, Nancy Sofen, Marc Connor, Pat Moyer,
Barbara Tarrh, members. Joe Pato, Select Board liaison. Other attendees: Dan Miller, Andrew
Terborgh.
Meeting began at 7:32 am
1) Barbara Tarrh appointed scribe.
2) Future TC meetings location/time: Massachusetts’ authorization of remote meeting ends July
15. Town conference rooms are being set up to function for hybrid meetings, which will require
in-person attendance by the chair and a quorum. While state legislature is considering the
extension of fully remote meetings, Gerry P has reserved a properly modified office in Cary Hall
for some number of future TC meetings. Due to questions regarding availability of these rooms
for early morning meetings, a discussion ensued about meeting times. Joe P suggested an
email poll to collect responses.
Town Committee Chair terms are under discussion by Select Board for a 2-year limit. Current
TC Chair would like to ‘pass the torch.’
3-13) Forestry Department Items:
No attendance by Forestry Dept. No new information on agenda items 3-13. Jim Malloy has
requested a meeting with Dave Pinsonneault, Jill Hai and Gerry. Gerry requested that Nancy
Sofen and Joe Pato also attend. DPW attendance should come up at this meeting.
23) Review of decision to remove 25 of 37 white pines by the Town tennis courts. There was
general consensus that retaining 12 trees was preferable to having all 37 removed. DPW will
meet with neighbors to discuss replanting plan. There was additional discussion regarding
where to replant (near playground), requesting carbon footprint of trees removed (36” + D BH
equals hundreds of trees to replace), how to reconcile removal with Town’s climate goals,
possibility of tying proposed yard signage to a call to action. It was also suggested that Gerry
email Rick Riebstein and Charlie Wyman w to create climate emergency article, including
calculation of CO2 storage loss per tree removed and the number of 2 -3” trees needing to be
planted as an equivalent.
18) Worthen Rd. Parcel clear-cutting for new HS staging area: No new information.
--) New agenda item: Large clear-cut area at Westview Cemetery(see attached). Discussion re:
replacement planting requirements, what standards apply to this town project. Suggestion that
Nancy draft a letter re: environmental impact and degradation of personal environment. Dan
suggested mentioning process (not followed) and again cited Town as apparently not
addressing sustainability goals.
--) New agenda item: Dan and Gerry initiated discussion of clearcutting of a private lot by a
developer on 12 Fairlawn Lane. Neighbor Andrew Terborgh subsequently joined Zoom meeting
from CA to describe interactions with developer Kevin Xu who claimed that lot was planned for
clear-cut prior to owning the property. Andrew describes this as a common problem in the
neighborhood, where residents are unaware of the Tree Bylaw but who are supportive once
educated. Andrew suggests: 3-year lookback, creating Heritage Tree status (requiring
permitting for removal). Other suggestions: Housing permit issued prior to any tree removal.
Create percentage of canopy that must be retained, permit required if exceeded. Insert info
regarding Bylaw into tax bill each 3-4 years.
14) Gerry shared a draft of a presentation of possible Fall Town Meeting bylaw revisions.
(Nancy had previously stated that the Tree Committee needs to vastly simplify the Tree Bylaw,
thereby strengthening it).
Discussion points included:
- Consider one larger change or nibble at edges over time
- Target tree removers (via permitting?)
- Conversation with Town Counsel to collect info re trees to be removed and put
someplace visible
- Create parallel tracks: plug loopholes for existing tree bylaw + move forward to simplify
with new bylaw
- Target Spring 2023 or late for public discussion/awareness
- Forestry staffing is beyond TC purview
- Lack of understanding or applicability of tree bylaw to town trees
- Chapter 87 process re: trees in RoW on public thoroughfares should be extended, i.e.
removal of trees at Westview Cemetery should have been posted
New Tree Bylaw ideas as presented by Nancy include simpler, more straightforward language
but also stricter, preservation of large trees on commercial projects.
--) Discussion about delayed UVM report on Lexington canopy: Nancy will ask Marc Valenti for
update.
16) 69 Pleasant St: Development by Todd Cataldo requires waiver of Bylaw, since it applies to
each of 10 new subdivided lots. Clearcutting center benefits neighbors and could save more
trees. General agreement to follow Planning Board’s lead on this. Nancy will draft position
letter for special TC meeting in 2 weeks to approve for possible Aug 3 hearing.
20) Lawn signs/bumper stickers: Marty will explore straightening proposed curvy headline.
Discussion about linking signage to TC goals, Bylaw, potential PR campaign. General agreement
that to move forward with signage we need a website for Friends of Trees.
Meeting adjourned 10:05