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Town of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
January 24, 2012
A special meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on January 24, 2012, 7:30-
9:30 a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. A quorum of six
was present.
Members Present: Chris Filadoro (Superintendent of Public Grounds) John Frey (chair),
Jewel Kuljian, Karen Longeteig, Gerry Paul, David Pinsonneault (Operations Manager),
Anne Senning, James Wood
Members Absent: Deborah Mauger (Selectman Liaison), Nell Walker
Guest: William Hadley (Director of Public Works)
The meeting acted on the following items:
1.Anne Senning was appointed as scribe
,
2.Minutes of January 12, 2012 were postponed until February 9, 2012.
3. Report from the January 23, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting, concerning 10 Webb
Street Tree Hearing.
William Hadley described the hearing at the Selectmen’s meeting as follows: Chris
Filadoro presented a recommendation to replant four trees as mitigation for the removal
of a public shade tree at 10 Webb Street. Gerry Paul suggested a mitigation of $1000. The
Selectmen voted to postpone the hearing until January 30, 2012 to allow the Tree
Committee to take a position.
Dave Pinnsoneault stated that mitigations are covered in the Lexington Tree Bylaw both
for removing large (over 6"DBH) trees and trees during property construction. The intent
of the Tree bylaw is to keep trees on the property and to re-plant trees on the lot or nearby
the property, not to make money. Dave Pinnsoneault reported that during his time as a
tree warden, 700 mitigations were compliant and maybe 5 were not. He suggested that, if
new guidelines for public shade trees are to be adopted, they should be added to the Tree
bylaw.
Chris Filadoro stated he would coordinate with the Tree Committee on future hearings.
He noted that very few tree hearings have gone to the Selectmen.
Gerry Paul made a motion that the issue of 10 Webb Street be closed, supporting Chris
Filadoro’s proposal for 4 trees to be replanted. The motion was passed unanimously.
4.Refinements to the Town of Lexington Tree Bylaw
Gerry Paul noted that Chapter 87 carries a maximum penalty of $500 if a tree is cut
down. He requested clarification from Dave Pinnsoneault for the average diameter of
trees that have been removed. Dave Pinnsoneault said this is 20 to 30 inches DBH.
Dave Pinnsoneault pointed out that the Town could take legal action for any value over
$500 if the particular tree warrants that amount.
Jim Wood clarified the point that the value for town owned shade trees is significant, and
that the town may use the legal process for increased fines.
Dave Pinnsoneault indicated that the town Tree bylaw refers to Chapter 87 fines and that
the town Tree bylaw can be refined to improve Chapter 87 to cover mitigation for public
shade trees. Dave Pinnsoneault referred the Tree Committee to the Town of Lexington
Tree Bylaw, Section 120–7, noting that section C could be expanded or a new section D
could be added.
William Hadley mentioned that getting the warrant on the next town meeting would
probably be in November 2012.
A motion was made that the Tree Committee will develop a modification to the Town of
Lexington Tree Bylaw for the removal, mitigation and valuation of public shade trees.
Until new Tree bylaw modifications are passed, current practices will be followed. The
goal is for earliest town meeting, fall 2012, if one is called. The motion was passed
unanimously.
5. Formation of a Town of Lexington Tree Bylaw revision committee.
Gerry Paul and Jim Wood volunteered to serve on a Town of Lexington Tree Bylaw
revision committee.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted, Anne Senning, Scribe
Next regular meeting: February 9, 2012, 7:30 a.m. at Samuel Hadley Public Services
Building, Room 125