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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-08-TREE-min Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee Thursday, September 8, 2016, 7:30 AM Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. Members Present: Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds, John Frey(Chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen. Members Absent: Jim Wood th 1. Jewel Kuljian was appointed as scribe for the meeting. The minutes of the August 11 meeting were approved. 2. Bylaw Tree removal applications and activity. Gerry is working together with Chris to enhance the columns and labeling. Chris is working on the many updates. He will forward results to Tree Committee members. 3. Spring tree planting for Meriam Street at Parking Lot. Because of the drought, Jewel decided it best not to replace trees lost over the winter until the Spring of 2017. As much as possible, native trees and plants that are not salt sensitive will work best for the site. Thoughts about planning to date are: remove all the crab grass, measure the various parts of the site, and add compost to the site in the spring prior to planting. Jewel will work with Karen, Anne, and Chris regarding the species for the planting plan. At this early stage some shubs and trees under consideration are Cornus mas, Maackia amurensis, Malus, Cotinus coggygria, and Ilex crenata. 4. Fall 2016 tree planting on town property locations. Approximately 12-15 trees are to be ordered by Jim at Schichtel by October 3, 2016. Chris anticipates the planting of five trees in the Town Center, possibly some others at the Lincoln Park playing field and possibly an allee at Hastings Park. Gerry and Chris will meet on th Tuesday, September 13 at 10 AM to finalize the order. 5. Status Report on tree losses and damage from drought. Chris will ask Joel to quantify the losses. 6. Latest on Tree Inventory. Chris is in the process of getting quotes and plans to have the inventory completed during this fall and winter for half of precinct 6, and all of precinct 7, 8 and 9. 7. Chris will contact George Grey regarding the damage to the honeylocust tree at Toyota. The broken branch has been cut. More information is needed. 8. Restaffing of one Forestry Division position. To be fully staffed Chris would like to have the authority to add another staff member. The Committee suggested that Chris keep asking for this position to be filled. 9. Status of tree planting on Mass. Ave. between Bloomfield and Percy. Chris will report back to the Committee. 10. Warrant articles for Tree Bylaw changes for Spring 2017 Town Meeting. (See 6 page document added at the end of these minutes which describes the proposed changes in the form of a draft presentation to the Selectmen.) A discussion ensued regarding some of the factors involved. Gerry presented information indicating the fact that Lexington’s mitigation fees are less than surrounding towns. He suggested the mitigation fee be increased to $100.00 per inch. This applies to 120-8 Protected Trees., Section C.(1) and (2). Also in Section C.(1) Replanting of trees on the basis of one inch of caliper of new tree(s) for each replacement inch of DBH of tree{s} removed except to encourage the planting of large shade trees (a change of wording) to be on the basis of ½ inch of caliper of new tree(s) for each replacement inch of new tree(s) with each replanted tree must have a minimum caliper of three inches. Karen, John and Anne are working on the recommended large shade trees list for the updated Tree Manual. Under #120-8 Protected Trees, C., Mitigation, Replanting of trees: Change the wording of Canopy Trees for Mitigation to Large.Shade Trees for Mitigation. This terminology will also be used for the listing in the Manual: Approved Large Shade Trees. Tree Committee voted unanimously to change the wording from canopy to large shade trees, list the named large shade trees and include the change of the mitigation fee to $100.00 Approved. Suggest working to have this approved by Selectmen so it can be enforced prior to the printing of the Manual. Once approved, Chris will invite/require all builders to learn about the new changes. He noted that Tree Committee Funds to hire a Certified Tree Arborist can be used when there is an infraction. th John and Anne have been working for months on the 4 edition replacement of the Manual. The goal for completion of the new Tree Manual Edition with approval from Selectmen is prior to the March 2017 Town Meeting. John and Anne will schedule chapter/s for review at upcoming Tree Committee meetings. 11. Photo for town annual report. Last year’s photo will be used this year. Other possible items: a. Scottish Rite Museum setback planting along Mass Ave.: No other action to date. b. Commemorative tree plaques needing attention: Action needed in the future. c. New postings on the Tree Committee Web Page. Nancy is in the process of adding new information to the Web page. Because of the drought, it is also important to inform residents that setback and street trees will not be ordered until next spring. Chris suggested Nancy meet with Romina Comunale at the DPW Office for insertions to the Web Page. d. Use of Google docs for keeping teams/members informed on availability of trees (Spring 2017). Not discussed at this meeting. Meeting adjourned. Next regularly scheduled meeting: Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 7:30 AM at DPW, 201 Bedford Street, Room 125. Proposed Amendment to the Lexington Tree Bylaw As approved by the Lexington Tree Committee September 10, 2016 Overview of proposed changes Proposed changes in remediation phase only. Includes both incentive to replant large shade tree species and disincentive to cut down large trees with trunk diameter 24“ or larger). Also raises the fee paid to the Tree Fund for inches not planted. Rationale Goal of bylaw amendment is to minimize removal of trees, and particularly of large shade trees. If trees are removed, the amendment uses financial incentives to encourage replanting with large shade trees. No significant changes to bylaw implementation by Tree Warden. Incentive to replant large shade trees If the homeowner or builder replants large shade trees from the list of recommended trees, their obligation to plant trees is reduced by half. Example: A total of 48 inches of tree diameter are removed during construction. Under current bylaw (or if small ornamental trees are used), 48 inches (16 trees) must be replanted or paid forin a fee to the Tree Fund. If recommended large shade trees are used, only 24 inches (8 trees) must be relanted or paid for in a fee to the Tree Fund. Disincentive to cut large trees Because of time invested in its growth, a large tree warrants extra protection. When a tree of 24” trunk diameter or larger is removed, it must be mitigated (by replanting or a fee paid to Tree Fund) as if four (4) times as many inches were removed. Example: A 30” tree is cut down. Mitigation is assessed as if 120” was removed. Financial Incentive If homeowner or builder does not replant all inches required they must pay a fee to Tree Fund. This fee will be increased from $50 / inch to $100 / inch. The higher fee should both discourage unnecessary cutting of trees and encourage replanting of all inches cut.