HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-12-03-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes, Town of Lexington, MA December 3, 2009
Members Present: John Frey, Chairman, David Pinsonneault, Tree Warden. Members:
Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, Nell Walker, Jim Wood, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul.
Friends of Trees, Jane Beswick, Alexandra Kahn, Barbara Kent. Emeritus member,
Susan Solomon.
Karen Longeteig was appointed scribe. The minutes of November 12, 2009, were
approved as corrected; to wit: Paragraph 2.3.a: “Velcova: to “Zelkova”. Para 2.4: delete
all language after “Bittersweet removal” and substitute: ‘The project is on hold and we
will re-submit it next year.” In two places: “Omart” to “Ohmart”.
Tree Warden’s report:
a.1. Bylaw tree removal applications and activity:
Total calls: 662 Total Closed: 542
Total to Plant: 1984 Total planted: 1301
Total to remove: 822 Total removed: 641
Total inches removed: 1491 Fees collected: $14,910
a.2. David Pinsonneault brought up a new subject, discussing two sections of
the Bylaw that he felt should be altered by Town Meeting next spring. They were
Sections 120-8 c.3. and 120-9.C. The purpose of the first would be to tighten
overly broad language about “enhancing landscapes” and of the second section, to
make Norway Maple removal subject to the same mitigation/replanting
requirements as other trees. John suggested a subcommittee be formed to come
up with some language. Anne & Karen volunteered to meet with David at the
DPW on Friday, December 11, at 10:00 a.m.
b. Inventory: the Inventory should supply us with identified sites for tree
planting, which will then be reviewed ‘on the ground’ by DPW staff. Priority will
be to plant out trees ready from our nursery. Jim and Anne will arrange to
identify these. They will meet, along with a DPW rep, Nell and Karen, on
th
Monday, Dec. 7, at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting.
c. Status of Street tree planting: David outlined that, out of the $24,000
committed for 2009, we planted 35 in the spring, and all but 8 or 10 of the
remained in the fall. These 8-10 trees couldn’t be planted due to site
insufficiencies of one sort or another, and were heeled in for the winter. The
status of trees funded by the $14,000 in last year's budget was less clear but David
said we would research it.
The remaining two trees from the Lexington Field and Garden Club
donation were planted; a Sourwood at Emery Park and a London Plane in front of
the White House.
Jewel reported that one of the Sourwoods on Meriam Street has been
snapped off, apparently in an accident. David said we would re-plant it.
d. Off-berm planting contract: We are still waiting for legal counsel Bill
Lahey to come up with some slight changes; it has been approved in principle.
e. Commemorative trees: We are waiting for input from the Haus family,
and the Mayo family has paid for two more commemorative trees. The Mandel
family submitted their wishes for language on the plaque.
f. The grant application for bittersweet removal on the bikepath was derailed
by inability to obtain a definite bid from contractors – the problem seeming to be
one of definition of area of work, whether it would be a defined, measured area
along the bike path or a more generic “per running foot” bid that would apply to
any portion of the bikepath. David said he would define a certain portion and
contact a number of contractors to get bids. Nell suggested consulting with Bill
Brumbach of New England Wild Flower Society, who has carried out a number of
such projects.
g. Native Species list: Jim felt that it is too comprehensive and such a long
list will be ignored by contractors. He thought a short list of 10 trees & 5 shrubs,
targeted for a specific year, would make more of an impact. While this list will be
strictly advisory in any case, it was suggested that we develop such a target list in
addition to the exhaustive one.
Battle Green tree planting advisory paper: David said that, for the record, he was in favor
of keeping the trees now present on the Battle Green and replacing them as they fail, but
keeping the interior open. He would approve either a double row or a staggered single
row. The Buckman Tavern grounds should be kept more thickly planted. But both these
areas are now ‘on hold’ while the Selectmen wait for the final advisory committee report,
and re-planting needs to occur on regular basis.
Jim presented a packet of papers and maps on the Battle Green for
discussion and amendment, with the goal being approval of the paper as the
official position of the Tree Committee. Jim advised that he had taken a broad
view of the Battle Green and included points on usage, sidewalk material, etc.
The committee began going through his draft line by line, making it through 2 ½
of the 3 sections before the clock ran out. The rest of the discussion was tabled
for a work group meeting set for December 10, 8:00 a.m. at the DPW.
Recommendations will be madeto the next full Tree Committee meeting on
January 14, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen R. Longeteig