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Home My WebLink About2019-10-10-TREE-minLexington Tree Committee Meeting Minutes 201 Bedford Street October 10, 2019 7:30 am Present: Gerry Paul (Chair), Gloria Bloom, Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden), Pat Moyer, Mark Sandeen (Select Board Liaison), Nancy Sofen (scribe); Absent: Anne Senning, Jim Wood; Guests: Varda Haimo, Sandra Mayo, Patrick Mehr. Kelly Carr (Beta Group), John Livsey (Town Engineer), Tim Lee (Working Group of Center Streetscape Ad Hoc Committee and Design Advisory Committee). Minutes of September 12, 2019 were approved. Pat Moyer asked the group to consider what we can do to further citizen engagement and support for a stronger Tree Bylaw. She suggested that we prepare a presentation for Town Meeting about the tree canopy study that is proposed to be funded by a program improvement to the DPW budget. Guests Varda Haimo and Sandra Mayo came to the meeting to express their dismay at tree clearing associated with construction in their neighborhood on Lincoln Street. The complexities of the tree bylaw were explained, and all agreed that to both combat climate change and to preserve a pleasant living environment, more must be done to prevent removal of trees, and of large trees in particular. It is also felt that with other towns enacting stronger restrictions, public sentiment may be shifting toward preservation even if that means infringing on private property rights. Suggestions for engaging the public included: • Holding listening sessions similar to those held by the Planning Board before they proposed new bylaws to TM. Such sessions could be promoted through conventional media, social media, local list serves and personal email invitations. Varda, Pat, Nancy and Gloria are to meet to discuss setting up a Tree Committee Facebook page. Going to existing groups that are concerned with sustainability: GWAC, Sustainable Lexington, Mothers out Front, Citizens for Lexington Conservation, Conservation Stewards, Sunrise (LHS student organization). Holding substantive discussions and providing information using social media, for those who do not attend listening sessions. It was also seen as important that the RFP for the canopy study include retroactive canopy measurements, so that the data on how the canopy has changed drives conversations about what needs to be done next. 2. Chris Filadoro informed the TC that the Tree Canopy Study program improvement request has been submitted. The Tree Committee should recommend the the Select Board support the request. Chris will reach out to Cambridge Tree Warden Dave Lefcourt, to learn about their canopy study. We would like to see both street level measurements and retroactive assessments. Gerry would like one of us to meet with Chris and with Davey Tree, who does these studies. 3. The Tree Committee approved our Annual Report submission, which is attached. 4. The Tree Committee moved and voted to approve a request to the Select Board to write a letter in support of 5.459, the Progressive Lands Preservation Act. 5. Tree Warden updates: • Tree Bylaw activity was reported in an email sent on October 14, so was not discussed at this meeting. That report is attached, along with a report of the Tree Fund activity. • There is no change in Emerald Ash Borer activities. • Trees for fall setback planting have been ordered from Schichtel and the planting locations list is in process. Kousa dogwoods were ordered; next month's agenda may include discussion of what trees should be offered and how to educate the public about native trees. • Chris confirmed that while failures of tree protection during construction are brought to his attention, there is no follow-up in later years to see whether those trees survive. 6. Patrick Mehr, who as a Town Meeting member was one of the original draftees of the Tree Bylaw, reminded us that the bylaw begins with an assertion of intent, which is to "think before you cut." He expressed his concern that the bylaw is used solely to exert (insufficient) economic pressure on builders, rather than to deter tree removal out of a concern for public good. He presented 6 proposals, and asks that the TC consider what might incentivize builders to save trees. 7. Kelly Carr, John Livsey and Tim Lee presented the tree plan for the Center Streetscape, which will be built beginning in April of 2021 and concluding in November of 2022. Drawings are currently at 75% completion. It was decided to restore the mid-century modern aesthetic of the 1960s' renovation of the town center, and to replace the lindens with other species planted in the same locations. Silva cells under the existing 5'x5' planting wells will better support tree health. The species chosen for various locations include Zelkova 'Green Vase' and 'Musashino', Gleditsia 'Skycole', Liriodendron tulipifera 'Emerald City', Carpinus, and Pyrus Callery 'Glen's Form'. When concerns were raised about planting Zelkova and Callery Pear, the committee explained why other species such as elm or oak were not suitable. They agreed to substitute Amelanchier for Callery Pear. The TC voted to approve the tree choices and will do some public education about why these species were selected. A list of trees currently in the center that may be small enough (2"-5" caliper) to be transplanted will be generated, and the forestry crew will look for suitable locations for those trees. Having observed 2 recent sites where all (or almost all) protected trees were clear-cut (37 Munroe Rd and 14 Woodcliffe Rd), and our Tree by-law was violated at both sites, the Tree Committee should strengthen our Tree Bylaw as follows: (0) perhaps altogether replace our current Tree by-law with Scarsdale NY's (see eclo.d..e..31.6.0..Icloli"n/64.31952,15.), which according to a Lexington neighbor whe. used to live in Scarsdale is far stricter than ours; (2) create the rule that a builder with 3 fines will never again receive a building permit in Lexington, nor will any entity in which that builder has any economic interest, direct or indirect; (3) shadow our current Tree Warden as he processes several tree removal permit applications to make sure that he negotiates EACH protected tree requested to be cut to see if that cutting can be avoided — as was the original intent of what our Tree Bylaw would accomplish —, and if the Tree Warden doesn't do this with enough energy and conviction, change the procedure (or the Tree Warden, or both); (4) study ongoing reports (hopefully a bit more detailed than the 1 -liner "in 2018 1 visited 65 sites for the Lexington 'Free Bylaw, 153 tree were removed (2074") and 708 trees were replanted." I received from Chris on Sep 1.9, 2019, 10:25 AM) from the Tree Warden to see how many protected trees were saved as a result of (3); (5) find out what it costs a builder to hire the typical excavating equipment with operator per day (my guess: $3,000 or so per day) to get a sense of how strong the incentive is for a builder to clear-cut a lot so that the excavation can proceed as fast as possible. by Patrick Mehr, 31 Woodcliffe Rd, patrick.mehr@gmail.com, 781-367-2229 (October 10, 2019) Tree Committee ROLE: To promote preservation and protection of public shade trees and certain trees on private property, working with the Tree Warden, to plant trees throughout Town and develop regulations and manuals for promulgation by Selectmen. APPOINTED bySelectmen, 3 - year terms: Gerald Paul (Chair)Gloria Bloom, Jewel Kuljia Patricia Moyer, Anne Senning, Nancy Sofen, and James Wood, MorkSandeen (Selectmen Liaison) Bob Creech ^P lanning Board Liaison)� orongtonree HIGHLIGHTS: • Investigated methods to provide information on tree removals of trees not covered? by the Lexington Tree Bylaw • Provided input tothe Lexington Comprehensive Plan s1udy(?) and Special Permit Residential Development Committee(?). * Submitted letter tmSelectmen insupport of becoming a"Bee City" * Participated in Community Resilience Building Workshop and submitted a letter of support for a grant todevelop anUrban Forestry Management Plan. • Developed alist ofinformation needs for increased visibility oftree-related subjects. * Reviewed the landscape plan for the new Visitors Center. * Submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department ofEnergy Resources concerning proposed changes tothe RPS Class | and RPS Class ||regulations. VVeencouraged continued momentum with passage of H.853 and not taking a step backward with changes in regulation which would increase wood burning. • Participated inLexington Center Discovery Day • Continued work onthe fourth edition ofthe Lexington Tree Manual. * Continued work on " Best practices for tree planting in Lexington" 289 Emerson Road 1372 0 0 0 2/5/2019 19 Locke Lane 1373 0 0 0 2/7/2019 36 Ledgelawn Ave. 1374 5 70 23 2/11/2019 2 Cushing Street 1375 3 58 19 2/22/2019 2287 Mass Ave. 1376 1 6 2 2/21/2019 198 Bedford Street 1377 0 0 0 2/22/2019 5 Juniper Place 1378 2 24 8 3/8/2019 10 Springdale Road 1379 0 0 0 3/8/2019 24 Pine Knoll Road 1380 0 0 0 3/8/2019 18 Cooke Road 1381 0 0 0 3/12/2019 24 Roosevelt Road 1382 0 0 0 3/11/2019 546 Lowell Street 1383 8 98 33 3/15/2019 30 Ewell Ave. 1384 0 0 0 3/19/2019 494 Loweel Street 1385 1 14 5 3/19/2019 12 Bates Road 1386 2 18 6 3/21/2019 114 Bow Street 1387 3 40 13 3/27/2019 8 Diana Lane 1388 1 15 5 4/23/2019 29 Dawes Road 1389 0 0 0 4/26/2019 80 Middle Street 1390 5 84 28 4/30/2019 16 Grapevine Ave. 1391 0 0 0 4/30/2019 Waltham Street 1392 0 0 0 4/5/2019 60-62 Woburn Street 1393 0 0 0 4/5/2019 7 Graham Road 1394 5 62 21 4/3/2019 9 Dunham Street 1395 0 0 0 4/1/2019 16 Longfellow Rpad 1396 0 0 0 5/6/2019 117-119 Holland Street 1397 0 0 0 5/23/2019 75 Lowell Street 1398 0 0 0 5/23/2019 2 Penny Lane 1399 6 62 21 5/20/2019 6 Winding Road 1400 12 140 46 5/14/2019 38 Summit Road 1401 0 0 0 5/6/2019 38 Cedar Street 1402 0 0 0 5/28/2019 11 Cushing Street 1403 0 0 0 6/12/2019 12 Payson Street 1404 0 0 0 6/6/2019 5 Juniper Place 1405 0 0 0 6/6/2019 82 Spring Street 1406 3 50 17 6/17/2019 Sherborne Road 1407 6 111 37 6/18/2019 11 Carley Road 1408 0 0 0 6/19/2019 56 Blossomcrest Road Lot A 1409 4 61 20 6/6/2019 56 Blossomcrest Road Lot B 1410 4 32 10 6/6/2019 130 East Street 1411 10 168 56 6/6/2019 18 Hathaway Road 1412 0 0 0 7/9/2019 193 Bedford Street 1413 0 0 0 7/11/2019 14 Woodcliffe Road 1414 7 121 40 7/16/2019 11 Shurburne Road 1415 4 36 12 8/15/2019 106 Laconia Street 1416 0 0 0 8/22/2019 6 School Street 1417 1 7 2 8/29/2019 55 Bridge Street 1418 0 0 0 9/17/2019 21 Suzanne Road 1419 97 Reed Street 1420 24 Columbus Street 1421 16 9/10/2019 9/19/2019 9/4/2019 Tree Revolving Fund - Historical Revenue and Spending Fiscal Year 2015 Beginning Balance: $ 19,765 Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Type (July -Sept.) (Oct. -Dec.) (Jan. -Mar.) (April -June) Year Total Revenue $ 13,050 $ 9,300 $ 14,500 $ 12,650 $ 49,500 Expenses $ (3,550) $ (13,021) $ (38) $ (8,215) $ (24,824) Quarter Totals $ 9,500 $ (3,721) $ 14,463 $ 4,435 $ 24,676 Running Balance $ 29,265 $ 25,544 $ 40,006 $ 44,441 Fiscal Year 2016 Beginning Balance: $ 44,441 Type Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year Total Revenue $ 9,300 $ 2,950 $ 6,300 $ 9,950 $ 28,500 Expenses $ (1,187) $ (1,821) $ (5,865) $ (31,548) $ (40,421) Quarter Totals $ 8,114 $ 1,129 $ 435 $ (21,598) $ (11,921) Running Balance $ 52,554 $ 53,683 $ 54,118 $ 32,520 Fiscal Year 2017 Beginning Balance: $ 32,520 Type Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year Total Revenue $ 10,400 $ 8,100 $ 11,100 $ 6,750 $ 36,350 Expenses $ - $ (4,589) $ (457) $ (34,775) $ (39,821) Quarter Totals $ 10,400 $ 3,511 $ 10,643 $ (28,025) $ (3,471) Running Balance $ 42,920 $ 46,431 $ 57,074 $ 29,049 Fiscal Year 2018 Beginning Balance: $ 29,049 Type Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year Total Revenue $ 7,500 $ 3,750 $ 900 $ 5,525 $ 17,675 Expenses $ - $ - $ (24,500) $ - $ (24,500) Quarter Totals $ 7,500 $ 3,750 $ (23,600) $ 5,525 $ (6,825) Running Balance $ 36,549 $ 40,299 $ 16,699 $ 22,224 Fiscal Year 2019 Beginning Balance: $ 22,224 Type Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year Total Revenue $ 35,250 $ 12,900 $ 12,750 $ 6,750 $ 67,650 Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Quarter Totals $ 35,250 $ 12,900 $ 12,750 $ 6,750 $ 67,650 Running Balance $ 57,474 $ 70,374 $ 83,124 $ 89,874 Fiscal Year 2020 Beginning Balance: $ 89,874 Type Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Year Total Revenue $ - $ 2,400 $ - $ - $ 2,400 Expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Quarter Totals $ - $ 2,400 $ - $ - $ 2,400 Running Balance $ 89,874 $ 92,274 $ - $ - Source - MUNIS extracts as of 10/15/2019, JKH