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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-11-TREE-rpt2 August 7, 2022 Compliance with Select Board Determination on Tree Hearing for 223 Grove Street Summary The Select Board discussed the requested removal of public shade trees in the right -of-way at 223 Grove St. at length on December 17, 2018 and then on January 7, 2019 made the determination that: • 13 trees were to be planted on the development itself • 13 trees were to be planted in the right-of-way on streets in the neighborhood. Despite queries (see below) over the last two years, 3 ½ years later the latter requirement that 13 trees be planted in the neighborhood appears to not have been enforced. At this point it is not clear what recourse the Town has to see that these trees are planted . TimeLine/Details • From Jan. 7, 2019 Select Board Hearing: Determination on Tree Hearing for 223 Grove Street Dave Pinsonnault, DPW Director, and Chris Filadoro, Tree Warden, reported that an agreement has been reached with the owner/developer of 223 Grove Street to replant trees as indicated by the Tree Bylaw. The developer will replace 10 removed trees with 26 3- inch caliper trees with a selection of species listed in the Large Shade Tree catalogue. 13 of the trees will be planted on or near 223 Grove Street property; the other 13 will be planted in the Town right of way in the Grove Street/Turning Mill area. The developer will water and maintain the trees and provide the Town with a warrantee for one year. The Tree Committee has submitted a letter expressing satisfaction with the terms of the agreement. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 4- 0 to adopt the Superintendent of Public Grounds/ Tree Warden's recommendation on mitigation on the tree hearing related to Liberty Ridge Development as per the attached memorandum dated 12- 24- 18. • On October 20,2020, the Tree Warden responded to a question about the planting: From: Christopher Filadoro <cfiladoro@lexingtonma.gov> Date: Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 12:45 PM Subject: Re: 223 Grove St To: Gerald Paul <gerryp@bu.edu> August 7, 2022 Cc: Nancy Sofen <nsofen@gmail.com>, Marc Valenti <mvalenti@lexingtonma.gov> Hi Gerry The [sic] reviewed and inspected the 13 trees that were planted on the site, I will review the other trees once they are planted in the new locations. Thanks Chris • From November 11, 2020 Minutes . . . Chris indicated that the builder of the Grove St. development has not yet planted the required 30 [sic] trees on streets near the development. He is still in the process of identifying planting locations. • In October 2021 the DPW Director responded to a request for a status of the planting through the Select Board Office: From: Select Board <selectboard@lexingtonma.gov> Date: Fri, Oct 1, 2021 at 9:53 AM Subject: FW: Tree plantings required by a Select Board Tree Determination Hearing To: Gerald Paul <gerryp@bu.edu> Good morning, Gerry, I have heard back from the DPW regarding the trees on Grove Street and here is the information they had provided: • 13 additional trees were planted on the property. • The remaining 13 trees need to have locations determined. The original mark outs were not suitable due to gas lines underground. The locations will be determined this fall and either planted this fall or in the spring. Chris will coordinate with the contractor. If you have any further questions, please let me know. Thank you, Stacey In point of fact, the planting locations which were determined not to be suitable because of gas lines were along Grove St and were I chosen originally as planting locations for trees to be planted by the DPW as part of the fall 2019 planting. From July 9, 2020 Minutes: 3. Dave Pinsonneault updated us on DPW activity • Fall 2019 planting: Last fall 70 trees were planted. There were some trees slated for Grove St which could not be planted there due to unexpected utility lines, etc. but other locations August 7, 2022 were found for these trees. Dave indicated that Chris will provide an updated list of planting locations.