HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-13-TREE-minLexington Tree Committee Minutes 2.13.25
Present: Pat Moyer, Mark Conner, Gerry Paul, Nancy Sofen, Gavin Grant, Rachel Summers, Alicia
Morris, Joe Pato.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:33am via the application Zoom. A quorum was
present.
2. Minutes of the 1/9/25 andl/28/25 meetings were approved.
3. Dave Pinsonneault was not present and sent responses to questions via email.
a. A meeting about spring planting will beset up in the next 2 weeks.
b. DPW has heard nothing from UVM and will issue an RFP for another canopy
survey after Patriot's Day.
c. The 250th tree giveaway pickup will be held May3 and May 10, 8-11AM on the
front lawn. The DPW will order tags, lawn bags, fencing and bamboo stakes, and
will provide a load of wood chips. Pat to ask that fencing (and tags?) be ordered
in advance so that fencing can be cut to size, and tags prepared.
d. 21 Crescent has had a temporary CO for a year now. Dave to provide update.
e. Follow-up meeting re: large shade tree list will be scheduled after Patriot's Day.
f. Rachel to meet with Dave, Conservation today re: pocket forest.
g. Fine to use Jotform as a way we could give you input on possible sites for trees.
Pat to nail down clearer answer.
4. Ross Morrow has offered to host a walk to look at trees that are slated for removal for
the new Cedar Street sidewalk. Many (smaller, or Norway maples) are not of major
concern, but there is a 41" oak in the ROW at 48 Cedar that should be saved if its
condition warrants (described in the inventory as a swamp white oak in fair condition).
Pat will respond to Ross that several members are interested in walking the project area
before the Feb 28 tree hearing. A larger discussion of how to preserve or re -constitute
tree canopy during sidewalk projects included
a. Can the default position of the Engineering Dept. be to ask homeowners to allow
an easement on their property for the sidewalk to go around large trees?
b. Can incentives be given to homeowners for easements?
c. What are alternatives that the town is willing to consider? (narrowing sidewalk
width, narrowing street width, changing paving materials near tree)
d. What happens at the nearby utility pole?
e. Does the project include new tree planting, on private property if necessary?
5. Pocket Forests. Former tree nursery may be available, but Rachel thinks Lincoln Park is
preferable because it's more public. Meeting with Dave and Conservation Commissioner
later today. She will talk to Recreation Dept.
6. Pat met with LHS Envirothon representatives. Their focus this year is trees & climate.
Pat will create a sign up for these willing volunteers for the pocket forest planting and
250 tree giveaway pickup.
7. Jonas Miller and Julia Flood (town IT) have landing page and Jotform sign-up form for
the 250th tree give-away nearly ready. Comments and edits for the landing page should
go to Julia by end of day.
8. Spring planting. Pat will talk to Dave about using Jotform for residents' setback or street
tree requests. If he is willing, TC agrees that as soon as tree species & number are
confirmed we should ask Jonas to set that up and we will start promoting the program.
Other potential locations for planting:
a. The Liberties, Bedford St. — Nancy approached property manager Tom Wood,
who will ask the condo board
b. Masons near Battle Green —Nancy to ask Jim Wood for contact there.
c. Elks on Waltham St.
d. Police Station / Fletcher Park? May wait for solar panels and outcome of citizens
article asking for playground
9. Planning Board has been receiving many applications (deadline March 17 when ATM
votes on zoning amendment) for definitive subdivisions, which freeze zoning for 8 years
for any later application. Public Hearing for Article 2, citizens article to scale back MBTA
Communities Act zoning, attended by 290 people. The town has hired a consultant to
project the number of units that may be built, and the financial and service impacts of
that growth.
10. Other business.
a. Gerry pointed out that in earlier versions of the bylaw the Tree Committee had
spending authority from the Tree Fund and on location consultation for public
tree planting.
b. Discussion of what activities have the highest value. We want and need to put
our efforts into education outreach. We can leverage Jonas Miller to bring the
Tree Committee into the 2151 century. What does the town expect of us?
c. We will have a table at the Sustainability Fair on March 22. Details to be
discussed next meeting. Rachel also will have a table promoting pocket forests.
11. The meeting adjourned at 9:10am.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Sofen