HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-11-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
12.11.25
1. Meeting was held on Zoom. Called to order 7:32 AM. Present:
members Nancy Sofen, Barbara Tarrh, Gavin Grant, Pat Moyer (chair
and minutes), Ben Fein-Cole, Rachel Summers; Joe Pato (Select Board
rep); visitors Gerry Paul, Charlie Wyman, Ken Prescott. Absent: member
Alicia Morris.
2. Urban Forest Master Plan Update: Pat noted that there were 2
proposals submitted to the town, from Arbor-Pro and Davey Tree. Pat,
Charlie and Rachel will meet with Dave Pinsonneault and others from
Forestry and the Town to discuss on 12.15. It was suggested that we
seek other towns’ satisfaction with what each company produced for
various towns.
3. Construction Site Monitoring: Nancy has compiled information on
about 18 new sites since we last met about these. She will divide them
up and assign to each of us. She showed us a map of the new sites.
Many members had not visited their sites in a while. Nancy listed the
most important things to watch for: adequate tree protection (fencing
as per the bylaw); and the arborist attestation about hazard trees and
statement of adequacy of tree protection, that information on the
town’s website. With sites that are done, we should monitor in a year to
make sure trees planted and protected survive for that year. Nancy
noted we do not have access to as-built plot plans to ensure promises
of planting are kept, and that required street trees, if there are any, are
planted.
4. 15 Clarke St. discussed. 3 story building with 15 units being planted.
Some healthy large trees were taken down. Plans for replacement still in
revision.
5. The A?ordable Housing Trust plans for the Lowell St development
(under supervision by ZBA were reviewed by Nancy. A landscaping
company presented preliminary plans. Nancy felt plans were tasteful,
provided good shade for future residents, and screening from and for
neighbors. Their current plan mitigates their setback takedowns
completely. Nancy recommends that we vote in favor of sanctioning the
use of trees under 3 inches DBH. Such a vote was taken and passed 5-
0.
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6. 250 Trees. Barbara reported that the order has been placed by Dave.
We’re not yet sure if the recommended species were ordered.
Nancy, Ben, and Rachel met with Julia Taylor of IT regarding
communication to the public about tree species available. Last year we
had pictures of each type of tree, along with a small blurb containing
features of the tree. Julie enumerated concerns about the sources of
pictures, which have to be machine readable, and in the public domain.
Nancy will work on pictures, and Pat will write blurbs; due by the end of
January. The list will be publicized in the weekly town newsletter, and
use the Jotform platform for people to sign up. We will also publicize in
the Lexington Times and the Observer. We set a 1/15 deadline for
completion for those media.
7. Use of Jotform for Forestry for fall and spring planting. Rachel, Nancy
and Barbara have met with Chris and Joel who appear to be in favor of
moving forward with this method of keeping track of homeowners’
requests. They’ve all met with Julia Taylor. DPW has someone (Matt
Leahy??) who produces reports on spring and fall planting, is an
arborist, and can interact with residents on desired species.
8. 28 Merriam. Finnegan was the developer, and proved to be cooperative
with our encouragement to save trees and plant street trees. Barbara
suggested a thank you note to the developer, so moved, and this passed
unanimously. Pat will write a note.
9. Columnar Trees. A site where 15 columnar sweet gums were planted,
then had to be removed was brought up. (??Where was this and why, I
have forgotten). We need to clarify our stand on columnar trees.
10.Goal setting. We didn’t do this in July. Barbara suggested we do this
in person. Pat will organize.
11. Ken Prescott came as a guest. A relatively new Lexington resident,
from Bedford, and was on Bedford’s Tree Committee. He was checking
us out. Pat will discuss his interest with him o?-line.
12.Next meeting will be January 8, 2026 at 7:30 AM. The meeting ended
at 9:08 AM.
Respectfully submitted, Pat Moyer