HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-10-TREE-minLexington Tree Committee
Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2022
7:30 am via ZOOM
Present: Members Gerry Paul (co-chair), Jim Wood, Gloria Bloom, Pat Moyer, Barbara Tarrh,
Nancy Sofen; Select Board Liaison Joe Pato; DPW staff Dave Pinsonneault, Engineering Staff
John Livsey and consultant Scott Ridder (Beta Group Landscape Architects). Guests: Charlie
Wyman, Marcia Gens, Ingrid Klimoff, Marty Kvaal.
Nancy Sofen was appointed scribe. Minutes of October 13 (as amended) were approved.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 am. A shorter agenda, and plans for a subgroup to begin
meeting off-cycle with the DPW were announced.
Forestry Division Updates:
1. Budget info (attached) was sent to all members prior to meeting.
2. Marc Valenti has been in contact with UVM, who have all the needed info and are
finalizing the canopy survey report.
3. Kudos given for the Center Streetscape project. In response to questions about tree
maintenance: all trees have 4 drip irrigation heads on moisture sensors. Trees are under
warrantee and will get extra attention until established, then will fall under regular
maintenance schedule.
Battle Green traffic changes:
1. Reconfigures 3 intersections at corners of Battle Green, to improve safety and
accessibility in time for 250th anniversary of battle (construction season 2023). Calms
traffic, creates T or roundabout intersections, shortens pedestrian crossings, replaces
outside sidewalks with concrete and interior sidewalks with stabilized stone dust.
2. No trees on the Battle Green will be touched and no construction material will be staged
on the Green.
3. At Harrington & Mass Ave, plan is to remove one American Elm and one Norway Maple
on the current island and to replant with sweetbay magnolia and black tupelo. Tree
Committee requests that the possibility of transplanting elm be investigated, and that
replanting with large shade trees when possible be prioritized. Perhaps more large trees
can be planted along Mass. Ave. or Harrington.
4. At Harrington and Bedford St., plan is to remove one 20” Norway Maple on the current
island. There are many underground utilities in this area. They will look at whether
more trees can be planted in bump-outs or as a setback tree on Lodge property.
5. 12” Sweetgum to be removed at belfry entrance probably can’t be transplanted because it
now grows on slope.
6. No plans to add trees to Battle Green at this point. DPW to consult master plan, evaluate
and replant in future.
Police Station
1. Tree hearing at 8 am Monday, Nov 14 for 12 trees along bike path. If there are
objections at the hearing, there may be a special meeting of the Tree Committee to craft a
position.
2. Sustainable Lexington wants as much solar energy production as is compatible with other
goals.
3. There were questions about Town’s rights on MBTA ROW.
Articles for Spring 2023 Annual Town Meeting
1. Motions to bring forward as articles to spring 2023 Annual Town Meeting were seconded
and passed unanimously for the draft articles (attached) TC1, TC2 and TC4 in the Draft
Article TC3 was tabled.
2. Dave Pinsonneault has expressed support for TC1 (extending from 1 to 3 years the period
prior to application for a tree removal permit for which mitigation for protected trees is
required) and TC4 (adding associate members of the Tree Committee. He is also
supportive of TC2 (specify same process for removal of town trees as for public shade
trees) but wanted more information about the reason for the article; this information was
provided.
Bittersweet removal at Dunback Meadow
1. There were lots of stewards with tools and results were highly visible.
2. There was enthusiasm for a semi-annual workday.
Tree Fund
1. Use of Tree Funds – both amount, and purpose – discussed. The current balance in the
fund is about $353,000. Can, or should, purposes be broadened without depleting funds
for future use or encroaching on areas that are funded from annual budget allocations?
2. Given extraordinary losses this past year due to drought and pine tree removals by tennis
courts, might DPW request of Town Meeting a larger allocation from Tree Fund for new
street tree planting and increased watering in FY2024?
Lexington Living Landscapes
1. Charlie Wyman outlined the rationale and action plan for the tree petition that is being
advanced by an ad hoc group of concerned citizens. This would be presented to the
Select Board with proposals for actions and is intended to provide “wind at the backs” of
efforts by many groups in town.
2. Citizens for Lexington Conservation declined to sign, citing that there is not enough of an
ask to be a petition, and that it should instead be called a statement of concern. Sense of
this group is that a relabeling as a statement of concern is reasonable, while noting that
the Select Board finds a concrete ask helpful.
Meeting adjourned approx. 9:30 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sofen