HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-14-TREE-min A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on November 14, 2019, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at
the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building. A quorum of six was present.
Members Present: Gerry Paul (chair), Gloria Bloom, Pat Moyer, Nancy Sofen, Anne Senning,
Jim Wood, Chris Filadoro, (Tree Warden Superintendent of Public Grounds)
Not Present: Mark Sandeen, (Selectman Liaison)
The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Anne Senning was appointed as scribe.
2. Review of Minutes of October 10, 2019. Minutes approved with changes.
3. Report Meeting between Chris Filadoro and Gerry Paul. Gerry described meeting with
Chris in order to improve communication of the forestry department data.
4. Donation for the Granite Forest in Lincoln Park: It was confirmed that the Committee had
previously approved a donation of funds for two American beech trees. There was discussion of
a disease, that since this project began has been starting to kill American beech trees. Symptoms
are leaves showing dark bands between lateral veins.
5. Fall planting: Chris stated fall planting is complete.
6. Tree Canopy Assessment Improvement: David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works and
Chris Filadoro, Tree Warden put this item in the proposed budget.
7. Draft Placeholder Warrant Articles for Spring Town Meeting:
a. Presented by Gerry
Article XXX
To see if the town will modify the Lexington Tree Bylaw to further encourage the removal of
fewer trees on private property or act in any other manner relative thereto.
Description: Trees provide many benefits including mitigating climate change and improving
quality of life. The Lexington Tree Bylaw was enacted to preserve and protect certain trees on
private property. The changes proposed under this article would further strengthen these
protections.
b. Jim Wood said he would draft an article for the Town to support increasing the overall tree
canopy.
8. Public Engagement Subcommittee: a. Pat Moyer and Gloria Bloom presented the concept of
outreach and involvement of the public in the Lexington Tree Committee goals and ongoing
work thorough social media. The Tree Committee discussed positive and negative aspects of the
specific social networking service, Facebook, Inc. Gerry Paul, Tree Committee Chairman
will review what permissions need to be obtained and report back to the Committee.
b. Citizens for Lexington Conservation
CLC has a meeting with speaker Meena Jain, community engagement librarian, Cary Library
11/25/19 11 a.m. Members of the Tree Committee are invited. Gerry will email further details.
9. Patrick Mehr suggestions: Mr. Mehr's suggestions, both for a. Joint site visits to 39
Woodcliffe Ave and 98 Spring St. which involved tree cutting and b. the Scarsdale bylaw, a
recommendation for a model `Application for Tree Removal Permit' were discussed.
10. Best Practices: Nancy Sofen presented the Best Practices report including the text
integrations with the Tree Management Manual that she and Anne Senning had previously
worked out. The Tree Committee discussed two areas of difference between the Best Practices
report and the Tree Management Manual; required tree planting distances from any type of hard
structure, e.g. street intersections, buildings, fire hydrants, utility poles, size of tree pits. The Tree
Committee approved the Best Practices report.
The other area discussed of significant difference was the planting of Asian longhorn beetle host
trees. The Best Practices report would allow a maximum of 20% of the annual trees planted to be
Asian longhorn beetle host trees. The Tree Management Manual would allow no planting of
Asian longhorn beetle host trees.
No vote was taken and a request was made to have this item put earlier on the agenda, as not all
members were present for the discussion.
11. Tree Management Manual Front and back covers and color, a deep green were presented
and approved.
There was no remote participation.
The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted, Anne Senning, Scribe
Next regular meeting: December 12, 7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services Building,
Room 125