HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-13-TREE-minLexington Tree Committee Minutes 3.13.25
1. Meeting called to order at 7:32 AM.
2. Present: Gerry Paul, Nancy Sofen, Barbara Tarrh, Gavin Grant, Charlie Wyman, guest,
Charles Hornig, guest, Mark Connor, co-chair, Pat Moyer, co-chair and minutes, Alicia
Morris, Rachel Summers, David Pinsonneault, head of DPW
3. We were uncertain about approving last month's minutes, and did not. Pat will discuss
with Nancy.
4. Discussion with Dave:
a. 250 Trees. Uptake by the community has been robust, most claimed over last 2
weeks, except for 22/25 oaks. We decided to wait to see if more oaks claimed; but
Dave and group did not favor increasing number of trees; rather if we use the oaks
for another initiative, Dave offered to replace their number with other sapling
species the committee specifies.
b. Nancy agreed to be repository for wait list, rather than asking Jonas to add to
jotform.
c. Dave reiterated that he would order fencing, tags, bamboo stakes for our giveaway;
and ensure 6 yards of wood chips and 250 bags would be available for residents
picking up their trees. Nancy reminded us and Dave of need for the supplies to be
available several weeks ahead of time so she and LHS'ers can cut fencing to size.
d. Dave outlined who will go where on May 10 when the native plant sale will also be
occurring at the DPW.
e. Dave will be in touch this coming week with Barbara and Gavin re planning the
locales for the 70 trees to be planted by DPW this spring.
f. Mitigation not yet evident at 21 Crescent, which got a temporary COO over a year
ago. The Tree Bylaw specifies that mitigation must take "no later than 12 months
after completion of the construction work"
g. We broached the idea of using jotform with Chris/Forestry as a way to communicate
committee/resident/business requests for trees. Dave agreed to hear about it from
Jonas.
h. Nancy noted that from the 2 tree permits granted this year that she reviewed, both
are following new bylaw requirements. There are other permits pending.
i. Miyawaki forest: Rachel considering installing one in Lincoln Park. Dave advised she
needed to clear with Recreation Committee.
j. Pat will communicate relevant info from above to Jonas (director of
communications).
5. Further discussion of Tree Sapling giveaway. Nancy will keep waiting list. Pat will ask
Jonas to send a reminder/confirmation a week or so before the first distribution.
6. Gavin plans to expand the fifth grade graduation/tree giveaway to a second school
(Bowman as well as Harrington) this year. Discussion of hope for one gallon pot -sized
trees, which seems to be ok with Dave to order. Species not yet discussed. Gavin to
communicate number of grads and spebies to Dave.
7. Left unclear was what the Field and Garden Club, and we, might together want for other
tree giveaways (last year 500 very small trees ordered from Mass Arborist Assn by
Dave.). Maybe need for fewer?
8. Rachel mentioned walking with Dave in the larger parking lot behind shops on the north
side of Mass Ave. He mentioned removing asphalt from a few spots and planting
Miyawaki forests there. Rachel will not pursue this year, but is interested.
9. Tree hearing re Cedar St sidewalk 3/28 8 AM. Several of us will attend. There are 2 large
trees, including a 41 inch oak, we'd love to save somehow. INa incy clil l reach out to a
concerned North St/A5: airn°s St Ire sIISdeint to IIirMIte her paIY"hcII'pa-hoin
10. Nancy reported from Planning Board meetings. The Planning Board voted to
recommend to Special Town Meeting passage of Arti'd e 2, which seeks to decrease the
acreage devoted to by -right construction of housing in town and to exclude the Center
as one of those areas. The compromise decreases 227 acres to 90 acres, excluding land
already under planning, and excludes the town center as a by right area. It also specifies
that the area of each development occupied by housing be under 28% of its total area.
She also reported that 3 4 5 Militia Dr. proposal: that the Planning Board will not waive
the tree bylaw due to the size of the project and planned removal of hazardous trees in
the ROW. In addition the 7 Hartwell developer wants to remove 6/13 trees in the ROW.
11. Nancy reported for the construction of new LHS focus groups Site Safety and Security,
and Sustainability. She approves of the landscape architect Mike Dowhan's desire to
preserve the knoll of trees west of the current fieldhouse, which will be enlarged. She
reiterated our desire to help choose tree species in the final landscape plan, and notes
that Mike welcomes our feedback.
12. Charlie Wyman reminded us of the upcoming talk by Basil Camu, next Thursday 3/20 at
7:30.
13. We have two applicants for associate membership. Pat will invite them to the next TC
meeting. Mark and Pat will interview Ben, and Pat and Alicia, Jon. Pat will plead for an
extension of the deadline to communicate our choice to the Select Board.
14. The Sustainability Fair will take place at LHS on Saturday, 3/22, 10 AM -2 PM. Nancy will
"woman" our table 10-12, Gerry 11-12, lBa irE)aira 11 --1, Pat 12-2, Alicia 1-2. Pat will bring
our materials.
Rachel brought up our perennial desire to alter our bylaw to require a permit from the
Town to cut down any tree in town (ie including those on private property). The permit
would not stop residents from cutting, but notify the town (and this committee) of such
actions and provide an opportunity for us to educate homeowners. Similarly, currently a
permit to build does not stop anyone from building—just serves to keep the town
involved. Members of the committee reflected and advised on how to proceed with
such a plan—Rachel offered to lead such an effort with participation from Barbara and
Gerry
16. We were reminded that zoom has an Al function which could take minutes. Pat will
explore.
17. We adjourned at 9:27 AM.
Sincerely recorded,
Pat Moyer, co-chair.
L U.,