HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-10-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
September 10, 2009
Meeting Called to Order: 7:30 a.m.
Members Present: John Frey, Chairman, Jeanne Krieger, Selectman Liaison, Jewel
Kuljian, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds, Anne
Senning, Susan Solomon, Emerita, James Wood
Guests: Barbara Kent, Alexandra Kahn, Shirley Ament-Bergey, Jane Beswick, - Friends
of Trees
1. Scribe: Anne Senning was appointed. Minutes of August 13, 2009 meeting were
approved with corrections.
2. Tree Warden’s Report:
a. Tree removal applications and activity
Total calls: 652 Total closed: 528
Total to plant: 1960 Total planted: 1272
Total to remove: 808 Total removed: 617
Total inches removed: 1308
Fees collected: $ 13,080 since 8/4/08
b. Fall Street Tree Planting: Thirty-five trees have been ordered from Weston
Nurseries. DPW forestry staff (now only 3 men) will plant out tree stock this fall.
c. Off-berm planting contract: Dave Pinsonneault met with Town Counsel William
L. Lahey, who is reviewing the contract. Results of this review will be discussed at a
future meeting. James Wood will look into the feasibility of providing stakes for newly
planted trees from the Tree Nursery.
d. Possible Warrant Article proposed by Charles Winchester to enforce people to
take care of trees on their private property. Tree Committee discussed the issues raised in
this proposal and decided not to support this if it is proposed as a Warrant Article.
e. Possible Warrant Article proposed by a Sanderson Road resident to protect trees
on private property even if there is no construction. Tree Committee discussed the issues
raised in this proposal and postponed a decision if it is proposed as a Warrant Article.
f. Commemorative Tree: Carmen Mandel requested a tree to be planted in Tower
Park.
g. Commemorative Tree: Cristina Haus requested a Star magnolia to honor her
mother to be planted on the Buckman Tavern grounds near the tree which honors her
father. Dave Pinsonneault will talk with her about a place closer to the Minuteman
bikeway on the other side of her father’s tree, as there is no open space on the Buckman
Tavern grounds close to her father’s tree.
h. LF&GC Tree Planting Award: Jewel Kuljian located a Sourwood for Emory
Park from Sylvan Nursery and a London Plane Tree from Matt Foti for a street in the
Town Center. This completes the tree planting award from the LF&GC. John Frey will
write a thank you letter to the LF&GC.
i. Tree Inventory: Anne Senning presented Volume IV of the Inventory
documentation written by the 2009 summer interns. One article focused on identifying
defoliation which was very high this season. Tree Committee will apply for a 2010
DCR
for two interns to complete the Inventory in
Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant
the summer of 2010. James Wood, Anne Senning and Dave Pinsonneault will be
responsible for submitting the grant by 11/1/09 with intent to apply by 10/1/09.
j. Tree Nursery: Dave Pinsonneault reported that the nursery has had one
additional mowing and the errant walnut trees have been addressed.
k. CPA funds for tree preservation (bittersweet removal): Tree Committee
discussed possible areas for project. Resolved that many areas have needs but for
purposes of this grant the choice should be centrally located and highly visible.
3. Board of Selectman approval of revised Tree Manual: Jeanne Krieger will take
manuals to each Selectman for their review.
4. Tree Nursery: James Wood reported that he fixed a leak in the irrigation system. Trees
were staked and landscape fabric was installed on Work Day 8/30/09. A Work Day was
set for 9/16/09. Tree Committee discussed removing several larger trees to check the size
of their root balls and when to plant them out to the street.
5. Matt Foti Thank You: A thank you letter to Matt Foti for the four trees that he donated
in the names of four Tree Committee members was signed.
6. Battle Green Master Plan: James Wood reviewed the plans for a site meeting on
9/17/09, 5:30 pm.
7. Belfry Hill Weeding Day: Anne Senning reviewed progress of work on Belfry Hill and
presented the final two Work Days for the season 9/15/09 and 10/15/09 at 8:30 am.
8. Friends of Trees (Distinctive Tree Project): Tree Committee and Friends of Trees
discussed the ways in which the project might proceed: A. publicity in the Minuteman,
such as Nell Walker’s 8/27/09 Letter to the Editor, photos of trees, such as two of the
Mullikan White Oak from 1896 and 1958 that Nell Walker had prepared with their
description. B. Combining the photos and their descriptions into a book like the Tree
Manual. Susan Solomon agreed to research work done on distinctive trees by the
Conservation Commission in the 1970’s.
Adjourned: 9:30 a.m.
Next Meeting: October 8, 2009 7:30 a.m.
Room 125, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, 201 Bedford Street
Respectively submitted
Anne Senning