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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-15-TREE-rpt1 Tree Committee ROLE: In concert with the Tree Warden, to promote planting, preservation and protection of public shade trees and certain trees on private property in the town of Lexington. To develop regulations and manuals for the care of the Town’s trees for approval and promulgation by the Select Board. APPOINTED by the Select Board: Gerald Paul (Chair), Gloria Bloom, Mark Connor, Patricia Moyer, Nancy Sofen, Barbara Tarrh, and James Wood; Liaisons: Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Charles Wyman (Sustainable Lexington), Rick Reibstein (Sustainable Lexington) and Christopher Filadoro (Tree Warden). HIGHLIGHTS • Continued activity initiated in FY’21 to document issues relating to Tree Bylaw enforcement (https://records.lexingtonma.gov/WebLink/0,0,0,0/doc/2493704/Page1.aspx ) and briefed Select Board members on these issues • Supported the creation of the Mount Independence Historic District. • Recommended retaining significant trees on the property at 41 Hancock St if the Hosmer house was to relocated there. • Supported a homeowner’s request for waiver of appraisal and payment of appraised value for removal of invasive ailanthus trees in the right-of-way at 30 Ingleside Rd. • Established a working relationship with the Town Permanent Building Committee • Recommended that mitigation be required for the 18 Town Trees removed near Bowman School with a value of approximately $70,000. The Town did not pursue financial, instead accepting restoration overseen by the Conservation Commission mitigation. • Participated in the October 2021 Re-Discovery Day and the May 2022 Earth Day events. • Took the position that the current on- line implementation of Article 33 passed at Annual Town Meeting 2021 does not reflect the intent of the article and the will of Town meeting because the implementation does not support the collection of information about individual trees in machine readable, digital format. Worked with the DPW and IT Dept. toward [as yet incomplete] implementation of Article 33 through online the permit system. (https://records.lexingtonma.gov/WebLink/0,0,0,0/doc/2505168/Page1.aspx) • Concerning the removal of 37 white pine trees at the Center Recreation Complex, made recommendations including • requiring a hazard assessment for each tree • implementation of a formal hazard tree determination process applicable in the future. • Voted to support Massachusetts bills H.3123 and H.2195 updating MGL Chapter 87 Shade Trees • Approved Report on Tree Bylaw Enforcement and the Use of the OpenGov DPW Tree Permit (see May 12, 2022 report in Town Public Records Portal) offering suggestions for improvement of bylaw enforcement and briefed the Select Board chair on these and other related concerns. • Worked with the DPW to determine and approved the species selection of 6 trees planted at the Battle Green. • Supported installation of a memorial plaque, planting of three red oak trees, and a celebration of life for John Frey, Tree Committee founder and long-time chair, in Tower Park. • Hosted multiple guests at our meetings including members of other committees and residents who are concerned about protecting and growing Lexington's tree canopy.