HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-10-TREE-min
. Town of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
March 10, 2011
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on March 10, 2011, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six was present.
Members Present: John Frey (chair), Jewel Kuljian, Deborah Mauger (Selectman
Liaison), Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault (Operations Manager), Anne Senning, Nell
Walker
Members Absent: Karen Longeteig, James Wood
The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Anne Senning was appointed as scribe, and the minutes of February 10, 2011 were
approved as corrected.
Tree Warden David Pinsonneault ’s report
2a. :
There have been the following Tree removal applications and tree activity since 10/1/01:
Total sites: 740 Total closed: 623
Total to plant: 2249 Total planted: 1482
Total to remove: 932 Total removed: 743
Since 08/04/08, a total 3126” inches in permitted diameter were removed and a total
$31,260 in fees were collected.
Tree InventoryGraphs
b. : Three graphs summarizing tree inventory data were
reviewed and approved with edits. Anne Senning will work with Judy Seppala, GIS
Database Administrator and Brianna Olson, Management Intern to place these on the
Tree Committee web page.
DCR grant
: There has been no notification about the DCR grant. DCR’s budget has been
cut by $71.3. The Tree Committee plans to do the tree inventory without the aid of
$7,680 grant, which was requested this season.
GIS handheld computers
: The Town purchased GIS handheld computers which are
compatible with the tree inventory software. GIS department staff will train John Frey,
Nell Walker and Anne Senning from the Tree Committee in the use of specialized
software, antenna, and a portable computer for use this spring.
Native Trees Project
: Jewel Kuljian reported that she has located 196 native trees
planted out in Lexington in 2010 including ones from the Tree Nursery.
Nursery Tree List for planting
c. : The majority of trees have been ordered from Bailey
Nurseries in Newport, Minnesota. Pierson Nurseries Inc, Biddeford, Maine is the
secondary source for trees which are unavailable from Baileys. The plan is to order one
hundred to one hundred-ten 3-5 foot trees.
Nursery Pruning
: Two pruning days are scheduled; 3/17/2011 and 3/24/2011.
Nursery Work Day
: April 12, 2011 is confirmed.
Nursery Tree tag address
: Anne Senning will develop a form to help identify tree
locations at time of planting and will work with Judy Seppala, GIS Database
Administrator to implement a smooth transition to the tree inventory database.
Volunteers
d. : Jewel Kuljian has 15 from the LF&GC, Deb Mauger will post a request
for volunteers for the Tree Nursery planting to the Lexington List.
Native Fringe Tree propagation
e. : Frances Gillespie, a LF&GC member who
propagates Chionanthus virginicus requested help from the Tree Committee to identify
these plants in the public areas for purposes of seed propagation. Anne Senning will
coordinate with her.
Tree Bylaw, revised Warrant Article 31
f. . John Frey, Tree Committee Chairman
and Gerry Paul met with the Planning Board, 3/9/11. The Planning Board requires
further discussion before they can take a position.
Solution to snow removal damage to Center sidewalk trees
g. : The snow removal
crews will not be going up to the trees in the Center in the future. They have been trained
to leave a mulch bed of snow around the stem of the trees in future winters. Matt Foti
inspected the trees and performed remedial care.
Community Preservation Act
3. : Tree Committee voted to support Community
Preservation Act at its current funding level.
Assistance to tree committees in Reading, Arlington and WellesleyReading
4. : : John
Frey, Chairman, Karen Longeteig and Gerry Paul met over dinner with a Reading
Selectman and a member of the Reading Tree Committee, who attended David
Pinsonneault's garden club lecture later that evening. They gave information about the
Arlington
Lexington Tree Bylaw. : Jewel Kuljian provided information to an Arlington
Tree Committee member about the Lexington Setback agreement and home care
Wellesley
watering procedures; : John Frey, Chairman provided a Wellesley Tree
Committee member information on the Lexington Tree Bylaw.
Locating Planting Areas
5. : A small group will begin locating planting areas on
3/22/11.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted, Anne Senning, Scribe
Next regular meeting: April 14th, 2011, 7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services
Building, Room 125