HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-12-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
March 12, 2009
Meeting Called to Order: 7:30 a.m.
Members Present: John Frey, Chairman, Jeanne Krieger, Selectman Liaison, Jewel
Kuljian, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds, Anne
Senning, Susan Solomon, Emerita, Nell Walker, James Wood
Guests: John Livsey, Town Engineer, Keith Ohmart and Elaine Turano, Citizens for
Lexington Conservation (CLC)
1. Scribe: Anne Senning was appointed.
2. New Town Engineer: John Livsey was introduced to the Tree Committee (TC). He
discussed his previous projects in Westford and Billerica and affirmed his commitment to
work with the TC.
3. Tree Nursery: Jim Wood reported that Preparation Day is rescheduled to 4/14/09.
Minuteman Technical High School students will install the irrigation system on 5/5/09.
4. Asian Longhorn Beetle: Jim Wood reported that the Selectmen declined to fund the
inclusion of the Asian Longhorn Beetle flyer in a town wide mailer due tocosts for the
brochure and mailing not being included in the present budget. Alternatives for a public
awareness campaign were discussed: information on the Town and Tree Committee Web
sites, flyers available at the DPW, Town Hall and Cary Library, articles in the
Minuteman and Colonial Times, a public forum.
5. Tree Warden’s Report:
a. Total sites: 629 Total closed: 486
Total to plant: 1875 Total planted: 1183
Total to remove: 778 Total removed: 564 Total inches removed: 793
b. 21 Normandy Rd: Site has been evaluated. Exposed roots will be covered.
c. 27 Fairlawn Rd: John Frey reported a complaint that contractors have pruned
neighbor’s property in the setback area. David Pinsonneault will investigate.
d. Belfry Hill: Matt Foti will supply shade trees, understory trees and
shrubs for the spring restoration planting according to the list provided by TC.
e. Tree Nursery: Matt Foti will fertilize the trees in the Tree Nursery.
f. Buckman Tavern: Matt Foti will reevaluate walnut tree at rear.
g. Emery Park: Meeting to review replacement plantings to be held 3/30/09.
h. Sourwoods on Meriam St: Plowing instructions were to DPW staff. Next
season protective stakes with reflective tape will be placed near the trees.
i. Arbor Day Tree: Matt Foti donated one Arbor Day Tree plus two others.
Locations are to be decided.
j. Tree City USA: Lexington qualified, meeting, 5/8/09, Old Sturbridge Village.
k. Commemorative Tree Program: Two new Commemorative trees are to be
planted this spring; the first for Marjorie Nichols, in the planting strip in front of
Hancock Church, the second for Steve Cole, in either the Hancock Church or
Buckman Tavern grounds.
6. Tree Inventory: Intern David Hattis wrote “Documentation: Work Order System, Tree
Nursery, Mapping Using Symbology”, 3/09, Intern Blaize Denfeld wrote an Independent
Research Project “Assessment of Tree Health of Lexington Tree Inventory 2008” Clark
University, fall 08
7. 2009 Town Meeting Article 7: Voted to postpone indefinitely.
8. Patriots Day Parade: Susan Solomon invited TC members to join LF&GC walking in
the parade.
9. CLC, Conservation Commission, TC Task Force: Keith Ohmart & Elaine Turano of
CLC requested representatives from TC join a task force to explore rezoning to use native
species plants in new Town developments starting with Hartwell Ave. Nell Walker and
John Frey agreed to serve on the task force.
Adjourned: 9:30 a.m.
Next Meeting: April 16, 2009 7:30 a.m. Room 111
Respectfully submitted
Anne Senning