HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-13-TREE-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
October 13, 2011
A meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held October 13, 2011, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Bldg., Rm 125. A quorum of five was present.
Members Present: John Frey (Chair); Karen Longeteig; Deborah Mauger (Selectman
Liaison); Gerry Paul; Nell Walker; David Pinsonneault (Tree Warden/Manager of
Operations)55; Chris Filadoro (Public Grounds Superintendent).
Members absent: Jewel Kuljian, Anne Senning, James Wood.
The meeting acted on the following items:
1. Nell Walker was appointed as scribe, and the minutes of Sept 9, 2011 were approved
as corrected.
2a. Due to time constraints, agenda items 2d -2f were moved up to the usual Bylaw Tree
applications and activity. The Tree Warden's report is included in Item 2d.
2b. Builder adherence to the Tree Bylaw is an important question that has continued
over a period of time in committee discussions (see Tree Committee minutes of 9/8/2001).
Deb Mauger was asked if a DPW employee could help us work out the builder adherence
to the tree Bylaw.Dave P. committed to finding a way to give visibility to approved Tree
Removal Applications (possibly emailing his spreadsheet). He also said he would
explore forwarding of notification of building commissioner granting occupancy.
2c. Nursery. The brush fixed cutter is to be delivered to John's driveway off Rhodes St.
To do: schedule work days at nursery. All.
Anne reports 90 trees to tag before leaf fall.
Setback and street trees will be cleared by DigSafe prior to planting.
Water main repaired by Jim and John after Sept. 15.
Realign irrigation row valves to avoid mechanical damage.
Repair or install new fabric weed barrier.
Stake and prune appropriate trees. All.
Chris has the tree watering list. See 2e.
John and Anne did a search for additional tree planting locations.
At Maple and Mass. Ave traffic island, storm Irene downed a Norway
Maple. Dave P. sees this as a "visibility issue ", thinking not to replace it.
2d. There have been the following Tree removal applications and activity since July 22:
Total calls 776 Total closed 686
Total to remove 965 Total removed 838
Total to plant 2338 Total planted 1756
Since 08/04/08 a total of 3,683 in. permitted diameter were removed and a total of
$36,830 collected.
2e. Chris F. has the tree watering list that Anne sent as a pdf.
2f. Jim Barry memorial tree location in Bow St. Park has not been cleared by DigSafe.
2g. Commemorative Tree Brochure: the revision is in Chris Filadoro's office waiting
for official clarification as Tree Warden.
2h. Foti Seminar: The planting crew attended this class as well as Committee members.
The uses of grow bags and their effect on root balls was of particular interest.. At the
bottom of John's agenda 10/13/20/11 is a more detailed report by Anne and John.
2i. One of the major elements of the workshop in Amherst on Oct. 20 is a discussion of
the pros and cons of planting trees before Dec. l st.
2j. Lexington has made every effort to keep up the "Tree City USA" standard. Dave and
Chris will submit an application before Dec. 1 st..
3. St. Brigid's new streetscape: the Lexington Field and Garden Club is interested in
selecting some tree species for planting in the area left empty by the removal of the house
in front of that church.
4. More discussion about the "sustainability" issue. Deb wants to concentrate on
staffing, training and management as a "process problem ". See item 8 of the 9/8/2011
minutes. We seem to have a building permit problem.
5. Fall v. Spring planting; Anne's pdf given to John lists the Fall and Spring planting.
6. Friends of Trees; No discussion during the meeting.
7. Website latest changes; Postponed.
8. Hickory tree seedlings: Postponed.
There was no remote participation, and this meeting was not audio recorded.
Respectfully submitted,
Nell Walker
Next regular scheduled meeting: November 10, 2011, 7:30 AM at 201 Bedford
Street, Room 125.