HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-12-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Minutes of December 12, 2019
Held at 7:30 AM, DPW, 201 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA Room 125
Members Attending: Gerry Paul (Chair), Nancy Sofen, Anne Senning,Jim Wood, Gloria Bloom
Other Attendees: Mark Sandeen (Selectboard Liasion) Charlie Wyman (Sustainable Lexington
Land Use Subcommittee), Mark Connor-Visitor
Absent: Pat Moyer, Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden).
1. Jim Wood was appointed scribe and the minutes of November 14, 2019 were approved.
Tree Warden Updates
2. Bylaw Activity & 3. Setback Planting. - Were not discussed as the Tree Warden was
not able to attend.
4. Fall Planting -Chris relayed the fact that 20 trees remain to be planted to complete
the Fall (2019) tree planting program.
5. Tree Canopy Assessment Program Improvement -Gerry Paul reported that Dave
Pinsonneault has submitted a $30K Program Improvement Request(PIR) for the FY'2021 and
FY'2022 budgets for a tree canopy analysis. Charles Wyman said the Sustainable Lexington
Land Use Subcommittee will support this request. Gerry will explore possible backup plans if
the PIR is not approved.
6. The Garden Club requested a Tree Committee member speaker for a Spring 2021 Weds. AM
meeting. There were no volunteers at this time.
7. Best Practices - Nancy Sofen presented the modified Best Practices. It was further modified
to state that ALB hosts should not be planted unless there is a compelling reason and approved
unanimously by the Tree Committee.
Mark Sandeen expressed concern about the impact of gas leaks on tree planting in Lexington.
Current number of leaks is 149 and this is a moving target.
8. Tree Management Manual Update -The issue of whether to include trees that are host to
the Asian Longhorned Beetle in the list of recommended trees was discussed. Anne Senning
was against this. Anne noted that the US had spent $750 million to eradicate ALB infected trees
and the cost in Worcester, MA to eradicate ALB infested trees was $11 million a year from 2008
on. Others on the Tree Committee argued in favor given the low risk of an ALB infestation and
the minimal incremental risk due to planting a small number of ALB hosts each year. Gerry Paul
presented other Massachusetts Towns planting lists that included ALB hosts.
9 & 10 Possible bylaw changes - After discussion it was concluded we will not go forward with
a warrant article for Spring Town Meeting.
11. Public engagement subcommittee - no discussion since Pat Moyer, lead, was unable to
attend.
12. New Member Search - Mark Connor was nominated to join the Tree Committee. His
nomination was unanimously (with enthusiasm) approved by the Tree Committee Members
attending.
Meeting ended at 9:30 AM. Next regular meeting,January 9, 2020, at DPW, 201 Bedford St.
Room 125.
Respectfully Submitted,Jim Wood