HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-08-TREE-min
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes – April 8, 2010
Meeting called to order: 7:35 a.m.
Members present: John Frey, Chair; Jewel Kuljian, Deborah Mauger, Selectman Liaison;
Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault, Supt. of Public Grounds/Tree Warden;
Anne Senning, Nell Walker, James Wood, Susan Solomon, Emerita; F.O.T.: Barbara
Kent, Jane Beswick and Alexandra Kahn
1. Scribe: Nell Walker was appointed. Minutes of March 11, 2010 meeting were
approved with corrections.
Tree Warden’s report:
a. Tree removal applications and activity
Total sites: 688 Total closed: 562
Total to plant: 2037 Total planted: 1321
Total to remove: 843 Total removed: 659
Total inches diameter: 1813
Fees collected since 8/4/08: $18,130
b. Warrant Art 27 and change Tree Manual: Selectmen approved the “Setback
Planting Agreement” on March l5. It provides for the planting of trees on private
property within 20 feet from the public R.O.W. and mutual agreements between
the Property Owner and Town. The Tree Nursery will be one source of species for
this type of planting. Town Meeting approved Art 27, a Tree Bylaw amendment
that gives Norway Maples greater than 6 in. diam, “standing” in certain
circumstances. A page insert in the Tree Manual will explain its removal from the
undesirable species list. These changes will be posted on the Website explaining
that the Tree Bylaw amendment has been passed by Town Meeting but takes
effect in August upon the Atty. General’s approval. 200 Tree Manuals will be
reprinted with the changes as needed when the second edition runs low.
c. Nursery/Tree inventory:
i) Work group enlisted to locate street tree planting locations and
condition of new trees and possible Oak plantings at: Mass. Ave., Bedford
St., Waltham St. and Winchester Drive, Site selection starts April 13.
ii) Karen distributed stakes to mark sites at the schools that have accepted
trees from the Tree Nursery- a total of 33 Crabapples.
iii. Jeanne Krieger tree location: Select a tree from the Tree Nursery and
place it in a public place at Jeanne’s request. Possible locations selected on
basis of where Jeanne walks: Waltham St, Cary Hall, or Tower Park.
Work group to establish location and choose tree.
iv. Orders for the Nursery: Bailey (65 Trees), (MN): to arrive 4/19,
Nasami Farm: DPW pickup 4/15. Balance of plants go to Belfry Hill.
PLANTING DAY for Nursery: Saturday, APRIL 24, 9a.m. Bring shovel,
wheelbarrow, scissors and workers. Pruning finished on existing
plantings, but new inventory will need fabric, labels and staking.
d. Belfry Hill planting: Trees and herbaceous material stored at cemetery and seed
mix to be scheduled for installation after Patriot’s Day and as soon as site is
prepared. Minuteman Tech landscape program students scheduled to help after
week of 4/26/10.
st
e. Arbor Day, April 30 at Hastings Park, the 21year that Lexington is a
TREE CITY, USA. Matt Foti will donate the LF&GC tree - a specimen
‘Valley Forge’ American elm. Two other trees will also be planted, sites
and species not set.
f. Replacement 2004 Arbor Day tree: species may be a Lacebark elm
Ulmus parvifolia), but planting date is to be decided.
g. Battlegreen Master Plan: Meeting cancelled. No update. Some trees are
not in good shape according to Tree Warden. Possible Selectmen action
for replacement.
2. Friends of Trees: Everyone is asked to spend time on the Nursery and Belfry Hill
planting areas. Nursery planting is April 24 and Belfry action will continue through
April and May on Tues. and Thurs.
3. Website: The Distinctive Tree project is continuing with recent additions: London
Plane Tree (Jane Beswick), future article on Sugar Maple (John Frey) and historic White
Oak, published in the CLC newsletter.
4. Other: Gerry Paul reported that a recent TM action (rezoning) elicited a $21,000
mitigation contribution from the developer, and suggests a possible expansion to the Tree
Bylaw.
Pending:
Cost estimate foe CPA bittersweet control grant application.
Next regular meeting: May 13, 2010, 7:30 AM at Samuel Hadley PSB, 201
Bedford Street, Room 125