HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-13-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
11.13.25
1.The meeting was called to order at 7:30 AM. Present : Nancy Sofen, Gavin Grant, Barbara
Tarrh,Alicia Morris, Rachel Noack Summers, Pat Moyer(chair and minutes), members; Ben
Fein-Cole, associate member; Joe Pato, select board rep; Gerry Paul, Charlie Wyman. We
were later joined by Elaine Tung, chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, and Dave Traggorth
and Will Smith of Causeway Development.
2. Minutes of the October 9 meeting were accepted (after one correction) unanimously, as
were the minutes of the Oct. 22 meeting of a subcommittee. The Annual Report, written
and submitted by Pat, was also approved unanimously.
3. Pat reported on the state of the Urban Forest Master Plan. Mr. Pinsonneault has
submitted RFP to Davey; he is drafting an RFP to submit to two other groups and when it is
done, he will send us a copy to review. The committee is eager to get going and to be
involved.
4. Our access to the tree committee town email was interrupted by a town software
change.At Pat's request, Mr. Bartha requested IT to rectify, and they have sent a link.
Nancy and Ben will follow up and check the email regularly.
5. Rachel reported on the second pocket forest creation event held at Lincoln Fields. 65
volunteers showed up and most of the material was planted. Rachel remarked on the
poverty of the soil(which is hoped to improve by plant activity) and the experimental and
educational value of having the plot and watching it grow. Eventually, she plans
educational signage.
6.We were joined by Dave Traggorth, principal of Causeway Development, and Will Smith,
both of whom have been chosen to build the 40 unit affordable housing on North St/Lowell
St.Will represented the landscaping company that will plan and execute the landscape
plan. Both came to discuss landscaping plans and their hope to seek a waiver of the Tree
Bylaw in this process. Causeway has already adhered to the bylaw in measuring every 6 +
inch tree on the property, plotting them, noting where removals are needed, and
calculating mitigation inches (268 as of this writing). They plan replacement with 1,2, and 3
inch trees, are planning on using our recommended native tree list, and plan to continue a
consultation process with the Tree Committee.We reviewed some other properties they've
done in Mass, and their robust soil prep plan. A property manager will be hired and will
water the trees for 2 spring/summer/fall seasons. We were impressed with both building
and grounds plans, and agreed to send representatives to attend tonight's initial meeting
with the Zoning Board of Appeals, and present written support of the bylaw waiver. Pat will
draft a blueprint of our support and send around for comment today, before the meeting.
She plans to attend and present our consensus.We note that Causeway requests
"flexibility"with details of the mitigation process. We will await gelling of the plans.
7. Barbara reported on the choice of species for our second and final 250t"tree giveaway
next April and May. We approved her list; she will forward to Dave P. for ordering. This year
we plan on giving away 1 gallon pots. In consultation with DPW, we'll have 2 Saturdays for
pickup; ask DPW to create a pile of woodchips and have people bring their own containers
to scoop. Issue of rodent barriers not yet decided.We will also need access to watering of
saplings.
8. Gavin reported that all elementary principals are interested in trees for fifth grade
graduates. He has also created a list and will forward to Dave P. Dave has approved the
DPW purchase of the needed (500 or so?)trees as well. Gavin will work with the principals
to create a planting guide for children whose families live in rental property.
9.We discussed our initiative to monitor construction sites around town. Since beginning
this this summer, some sites are done, and new ones have started. We are approaching
our self-imposed 3 months reporting time. Members encouraged to visit their sites, report
compliance/violations of the bylaw—especially proper fencing, but also evidence of
arborist root-pruning, undocumented unplanned tree removals, etc. Nancy will gather
reports and submit to Dave and Chris. At our Dec. meeting, new sites to be distributed.
10.We looked over species for the spring 2026 planting. These include Amelanchier,
mountain ash, chokecherry, redbuds, hardy American elms, London Plane trees, and the
Kentucky coffee tree (since our meeting replaced with Nyssa sylvatica).A subgroup of us
continues to work on creating door-hanger notifications to alert residents to opportunities
for setback trees, and on streamlining this with use ofjotform technology.
11.We adjourned at 9:35 AM, planning to meet again Thursday, December 11, and 7:30
AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Moyer