HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-13-TREE-min
Minutes of Lexington Tree Committee
Thursday, October 13, 2016, 7:30 am
Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125
Members Present: John Frey (chair), Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, Anne
Senning, Nancy Sofen, Jim Wood
Members Absent: Chris Filodoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds)
Guests: Meg Himmel
1. Nancy Sofen appointed scribe. Minutes of September 8, 2016 meeting approved as
amended with the addition of the full text of the Tree Bylaw changes voted at that meeting.
2.Several items on the agenda not discussed because of Chris Filadoro’s absence. We will ask
him to send relevant information in advance if he cannot attend meetings.
3.John and Anne presented an update to the Tree Management Manual, section X: INVASIVE
INSECT SPECIES – Emerald Ash Borer. The text of the update and the “Works Cited”
appendix are included in these minutes as electronic attachments.
This is the first of two updates focusing on the history, effects and preparedness efforts for
two lethal insects, Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Both
federal and state governing legislations are new to the Tree Manual.
EAB has moved through the state quickly. With large wings and a small body, it flies long
distances and is active through a long season. In contrast, ALB has a much smaller flight
distance and populates a single tree before moving on. Both spread by larvae in firewood.
Karen notes that EAB can be controlled by chemical pesticides.
The committee recommended the following:
a. Section X.A.1, change “hardwood” to “ash” in second sentence
b. Insert a sentence referring to regular updates of current quarantine areas in the Code of
Federal Regulations, with a link to the web site, in paragraph 2 of same section.
c. Check state DCR regulations regarding size of chips that will leave quarantine area: is
there a measurement for the third dimension?
d. Anne to talk to Dave Pinsenneault to see if he is satisfied with description of disposal
methods.
e. Committee to ask Chris whether APHIS moves in when EAB detected, as they do for
ALB. Also, why does Lexington not chip trees felled in wooded areas?
f. Anne to ask Robert Boudoin at town Compost Facility about how trees are chipped there:
size of chips, how often tub grinder rented, whether chips are composted?
g. Update to include link to Tree Committee website, which will have a link to an Appendix
listing governing legislation.
Committee discussed how best to inform public. Article in Minuteman, perhaps insert in tax
mailing (paid for from Tree Fund), recruit someone to develop social media presence.
Karen has revised the recommended tree lists for the Tree Management Manual and suggests
that she, Anne and John clean up the lists and send them out for discussion at next month’s
meeting. Meg Himmel asks that the lists, once approved, be sent to the Garden Club.
4.Trees ordered for fall planting on irrigated Town land are 8 each of Yellowwood (Cladrastis
kentukea), Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor “Beacon”) and Pin Oak (Quercus palustris).
Four of these may be used Museum of Our National Heritage property along Marrett Road.
5. Nancy to call Selectmen’s office to get office hours and to schedule half-hour meetings with
each. She will also prepare a simple presentation on the proposed amendment to the Tree
Bylaw.
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6.John presented draft of the FY2016 Tree Committee report. The wording of the 5 bullet
point was changed to “Collaborate with BSC Group to recommend suitable trees for planting
the east Massachusetts Avenue construction project.”
7.John described a presentation on the Center Streetscape by Jay Emperor of Pressley
Associates, Landscape Architects. The street layout is set. Tier 1 subcommittee deals with
sidewalks and lighting. John and Gerry are on the Tier 2 subcommittee, which deals with
layout (benches, species and size of trees, irrigation, structural soil, etc.). Some have
requested red maple, but it may not be suitable because it is the favorite host of ALB.
8.Feedback from Planning Committee meeting attendees is that the Tree Bylaw amendment
should be tougher than what is proposed.
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 am.