HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-09-TREE-min Minutes Tree Committee 1/9/2020
Held at 7:39 AM, DPF, 201 Bedford Street, Room 125
Attendance: Gerry Paul (Chair), Nancy Sofen, Jim Wood, Gloria Bloom, Mark Sandeen, Mark
Connor, Pat Moyer, Chris Filadoro (Tree Warden)
1. Gloria Bloom was appointed scribe and the minutes of the December 12 meeting were
accepted.
Tree Warden Updates
2. There are no updates on the Bylaw
3. Fall planting is mostly complete—about 5 trees left. Planning for spring has started.
4. We discussed alternate plans for the canopy assessment if the Select Board does not approve
the $30K that was requested. One option is to apply for MVP resilience grant. Chris will get a
better estimate for the actual costs of different canopy assessments. Knowledge of canopy
changes will show where losses are occurring, effects of enforcement, changes in fees. Historic
aerial view is needed to document changes. There could be incentives for not cutting—say more
square feet of building in exchange for saving trees.
Male trees —do we plant only males of some species, are they aggressive pollinators, allergy
effects, are there substitutes, do they attract birds?
5. Tree manual update. Changes include: ALB and EAB hosts, remove hosts from list of
approved shade trees, rearrange and renumber figures for ease of use, eliminate use of"dwarf'
trees (just give height limitations).
Motion: Tree Manual as modified by Pat and Nancy will be submitted to Select Board for
approval and publishing. Committee will get pdf version for editing. Approved unanimously.
6. New members. Look for people with good communications skills and knowledge of trees.
7. Possible 2020 priorities: tree removal data; analysis of canopy survey;public outreach-
unofficial social media site on twitter or facebook, schools, show changes in Lexington streets
with pictures, setup fund for public donations, show effects of clear cutting;preservation of large
trees —get removal data; look at bylaw update to include private trees; coordination with other
groups like CLC, Garden Club; explain goal to plant more than removed; secure resources for
trees; gas leak monitoring before planting; identify major threats to canopy; health benefits of
trees; male tree issues; effect of climate change and insect infestations on what we should plant.
Adjourn at 9:25
Submitted by Gloria Bloom