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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-07-AHTBC-min.pdf mgiieal +o n, , 111`!)06 Minutes of Meeting Ad Hoc Tree Bylaw Committee September 7, 2000 Present: Stacey Bridge-Denzak, Chair Patrick Mehr Sue Solomon John Frey Brian Gilbert Jim Wood Ginna Johnson Betty Eddison Kathy Yates Gerry Whiting Matt Foti Nell Walker Guest: Eva Heney,Lexington Minuteman Newspaper It was agreed to form two subcommittees, a policy group and an implementation standards and public awareness group. These groups would have their own meetings between the twice monthly Ad Hoc Committee meeting at which the two groups would liase. Membership in the two subcommittees was assigned as follows: Policy and Regulation—Stacey Bridge-Denzak,Betty Eddison,Brian Gilbert,BB Fallick, Gerry Maloney Patrick Mehr, Ginna Johnson. Implementation Standards,Public Awareness &Funding John Frey,Matt Foti,Ron Rousso, Sue Solomon,Nell Walker, Gerry Whiting and Kathy Yates. Jim Wood asked about funding and Brian Gilbert stated that there is a line item in the budget for personal services and expenses(materials). The DPW's guidelines for use of the money include only the State's Chapter 87 and locally developed policies. Stacey Bridge-Denzak commented on the DEM Guidelines (which were included in the distributions to committee members) With regard to policy Kathy Yates pointed out the big difference in the various town tree ordinances on whether both public and private property trees were"protected"by the ordinance or only public or perhaps public and developer-owned. In the case of developers,protection could include not only restrictions on cutting down, but also restrictions on piling debris near trees or damaging their root system, and also erosion control. It was pointed out that the policy we come up with must be manageable— requiring appropriate funding and the organization to implement the policy and to educate the public. � a If the policy is to include restrictions on cutting down privately owned trees, eg during the first 3 years of ownership, it was noted that the owner can still request a permit for removal. Patrick Mehr commented on the need for involvement of a lawyer, eg. The Town Counsel. It is agreed that a list of questions(especially with regard to limitations on private property) should be presented to the Town Counsel in a few weeks. With regard to implementation a Tree Manual with guidelines including tree protection zones and how to enforce and education of the public needs to be developed. The final draft of the Ad Hoc Committee's recommended Tree Ordinance is due to the Selectmen by mid-December. An official public hearing should follow in early March (before Town Meeting). But there should be other unofficial meetings with selected groups such as developers and town committees before the December submission, eg.,by December 1 It was decided that the two subgroups should meet twice before the next full committee meeting on Sept. 21. The meeting was adjourned to allow the two subgroups to begin their planning.