HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-11-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Commi?ee Minutes
7.11.24
1. Mee?ng was called to order at 7:32 AM by co chair Mark Connor. Present: members Gavin
Grant, Pat Moyer, Mark Connor, Nancy Sofen, Barbara Tarrh, Jim Wood, Gerry Paul;
associate members Rachel Summers; Joe Pato ex-officio, Charlie Wyman. Absent was
associate member Alicia Morris.
2. Minutes of June 20 were approved unanimously.
3. Jim Wood has tendered his resigna?on, effec?ve 7/31/24. Apprecia?on for his work, and
good wishes, tendered.
4. We nominated and unanimously approved Barbara Tarrh and Gavin Grant to work with
Chris and Dave to come up with sites and species for the fall plan?ng. It was suggested
they work with Ma? Fo? to determine species availability first. There are outstanding
resident requests for setback trees which will be considered. Julie in the DPW office ably
coordinated requests and Dig Safe evalua?ons last ?me and we will use her again. Lori
Traficante Nhas the flags. We strongly suggested that 70% of the trees be in the large
shade tree category.
5. We turned to our major business at hand: goal-se?ng for the year. A?er discussion, these
were:
A. Being involved in designing the Urban Forest Master Plan. State has a program
which pays 50% of cost of visioning/preparing; likely about $80K. Applica?ons to be
approved for this co-pay due 10/1. Dave has allocated $ in budget to do this. Per
Charlie Wyman, preference given to plans which demonstrate ci?zen input, interest,
and par?cipa?on in the applica?on. Charlie will send us info (done) . Plans
encompass plan?ng, pruning, canopy goals, staffing, are done by consultant
(presumably with Town in put). We need to research what other towns have, decide
how to get involved. No?ce of intent to apply by 10/1 and grant applica?on due
11/1, so Tree Commi?ee input of what we’d like to see in an UFMP should be
discussed soon.
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B. 250 celebra?on. 2 Select Board members (Hai, Barry) have interest. Funding? Tree
Fund? Proposal? How to enact?
C. Public Educa?on: via schools, upda?ng website, reworking our materials, working
with DPW, use of available media, working with town en??es eg Sustainability, Tree
warden, Conserva?on. ?crea?ng an arborist newsle?er ? Figuring out ways to
educate and help homeowners with their trees. ?Tree tags. Working with TSOC folks
D. Bylaw Enforcement. Crea?ng a way palatable to all to make sure construc?on sites
are monitored and surrep??ous tree removals become non-existent. Wai?ng on
BEWG to come up with a plan. Sugges?on to involve many groups—finance, ci?zens,
tree commi?ee, ?sustainability?
E. Expand tree giveaway to other elementary schools.
F. Meet with new Town Manager early in her/his trajectory to outline our posi?ons and
plans.
G. Once new Town Manager se?led (Spring 2025), convene a Tree Protec?on Policy
Summit to share ideas for town-wide ac?ons that enhance quality of life. Find
solu?ons that are specific to Lexington: best uses of resources, behavioral
incen?ves, etc.
6. We adjourned at 9:30 AM.
Respec?ully submi?ed, Pat Moyer co-chair