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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-11-TREE-min Lexington Tree Committee Minutes-March 11, 2010 Meeting Called to Order: 7:40 a.m. Members Present: John Frey, Chairman, Jewel Kuljian, Deborah Mauger, Selectman Liaison, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault, Superintendent of Public Grounds/Tree Warden, Anne Senning, Susan Solomon, Emerita, Nell Walker, James Wood Guest: Keith Ohmart, Citizens for Lexington Conservation (CLC) 1. Scribe: Anne Senning was appointed. Minutes of February 11, 2010 meeting were approved with corrections. 2. Elections/Appointments/Welcome: Karen Longeteig and Deborah Mauger were elected to Town Meeting. Deborah Mauger was elected Selectman and appointed Selectman Liaison to the Lexington Tree Committee (LTC). LTC extended congratulations to both women and welcomed Deborah Mauger. 3. Tree Warden’s Report: a. Tree removal applications and activity Total sites: 675 Total closed: 551 Total to plant: 2005 Total planted: 1307 Total to remove: 829 Total removed: 652 Total inches: 1620 Fees collected since 8/4/08: $16,200 NSTAR b. /Tree Pruning: In early February, a number of East Lexington residents raised concerns with the Town over the issue of trees being severely pruned in their neighborhood by a company hired by NSTAR to prune tree limbs away from power lines. Trees were being pruned to a standard of 10’ to either side, 10’ below and 25’ above the electric lines. On 3/1/10 Bill Hadley DPW, David Pinsonneault DPW, John Frey Chair of TC, Norman Cohen Chair of Board of Selectmen, and Carl Valente Town Manager Stop-Work met with members of NSTAR staff after David Pinsonneault had issued a Order on 2/24/10. NSTAR is to resume the 8’-8’-12’ pruning standard in East Lexington and any other circuits in the Town of Lexington. In the future if NSTAR has numerous outages on a particular circuit in Lexington NSTAR will request through the Tree Warden to increase the pruning standard to 10’-10’-25’ on that particular circuit or part of the circuit, before they commence pruning. Henceforth NSTAR work on new circuits will be posted on the DPW web site and in the Lexington Minuteman prior to beginning work. The Town, through David Pinsonneault will work with homeowners to mitigate damage resulting from NSTAR’s subcontractor’s pruning. c. Street Tree Planting Locations: All planting areas in East Lexington were added, although there are not many, to mitigate the damage from the recent severe pruning. d. 2/11/10 Tree Nursery meeting: 2010 plantings, group II: Tree species ordered, 10 each, Cotinus obovatus, Carpinus caroliniana, Nyssa sylvatica, Ostrya virginiana and Oxydendron arboreum from Nasami Farm, Whately, MA. DPW will pick up order. e. Tree Planting to honor Jeanne Krieger: John Frey reported that Jeanne was delighted with a gift tree but would prefer that it be planted in a public space where everyone could enjoy it rather than on her property. The particulars were referred to a work group. f. Crabapples from the Tree Nursery: Karen Longeteig stated a list of school contacts all of whom were pleased to receive crabapples for school landscaping. Jewel Kuljian added several LFGC sites, which requested crabapples. Karen will make a chart of the combined requests and email it to the LTC. g. Warrant Article 27/Change Tree Manual: Changes in the Tree Manual page 10 were presented. These reflect the necessary changes for Warrant Article 27, and are due to go before the Selectman on 3/15/10 for approval along with the Setback Planting Agreement. h. Arbor Day Tree: Matt Foti is offering a 6” Valley Forge Elm for the LF&GC Arbor Day Tree. He may donate several others. Locations are to be decided. John Frey will coordinate donations. i. Tax deductible receipts: The procedure for all donations to the Tree Committee for tax deductible receipts was clarified: receipts should go to Lynne Pease, Executive Clerk, Board of Selectmen. j. Battle Green Master plan update: It has been established that veterans of the April 19, 1775 battle are buried under the obelisk. The design committee meeting is 3/25/10. 4. Plant Materials Guide for Lexington MA 2010 Edition: Keith Ohmart of CLC presented a 12 page guide of recommended native plants including sources compiled by a joint committee with members from CLC, LTC and Lexington Conservation Commission. 5. Belfry Hill: CPA budget $1830 has been allocated for native erosion control plants. Tentative regular weekly workday schedules are planned to prevent invasive weed take-over. Work group will execute the particulars. 6. Lincoln Park Renovations Report: Nell Walker presented a diagram and short explanation of extensive renovations in a section of Lincoln Park. This project has involved the removal of rubble from the construction of Route 2, excision of many invasive plant species and the replacement of these species with native plants appropriate to the site. A guided tour is planned for later in the season. 9. Distinctive Tree Article: Karen Longeteig mentioned that another in the series of Distinctive Tree articles is coming out in the Lexington Minuteman. Meeting adjourned: 9:30 a.m. Next Meeting: April 8, 2010 7:30 a.m. Room 125, Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, 201 Bedford Street