HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-10-TREE-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Tree Committee Minutes
May 10, 2012
The monthly meeting of the Lexington Tree Committee was held on May 10, 2012 at
7:30 a.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, Room 125. There was not a
quorum as only three members were present.
Members Present: John Frey(Chair), Jewel Kuljian and James Wood. Also Marie
Roberts and Barbara Kent(Friends of Trees), Chuck Walton(DPW staff), and Bonnie and
Joel B erm an(Guests/resi dents of 37 Somerset Rd).
Members Absent: Chris Filadoro, Deborah Mauger(Selectman Liaison), Anne Senning,
Nell Walker, Gerry Paul, Karen Longeteig and Jane Beswick(Friends of Trees).
1.Jewel Kuljian was appointed as Scribe. Minutes of the April 12, 2012 meeting will be
voted upon at the June 14, 2012 meeting. John suggests the last sentence of Item 4a be
omitted. The April dates for achieving a high success rate for transplanting Scarlet Oaks
has been missed(two weeks in April and one week in November).
The meeting began with Item 2 -k on the agenda with Bonnie Berman describing what is
happening regarding the teardown of a home on 31 Somerset Rd. and her concerns about
the impact the new construction could have on the roots of their Copper Beech tree.
Visuals of the very large home and landscape plans were shown to the committee John
offered to contact Colin Smith, the Architect for the project and /or the Landscape
Architect to see what can be done to protect the tree, especially as it applies to the new
driveway. During the discussion the different roles of the Historic District Commission
and the Historic Commission were noted.
2. Tree Warden Agenda items:
a)ByLaw Tree removal applications and activity (To be provided by Chris at a later date)
b)The eight scarlet oaks referred to above are to be transferred to the compost facility.
c)The Selectmen approved a 4" Red Oak as the tree selection as well as the site on the
Battle Green for the 300 Anniversary Celebration. Chris will check out the status for
the purchase of the tree from nursery he knows of and /or at the Millican Nursery in
Chichester, NH where they have a 4 -4 1/2" caliper Red Oak for $895(not including the
planting /delivery). Payment of the tree is to be from the Tree Fund. Oaks require planting
in the spring (as soon as possible).
The list of trees for use during the 300 Anniversary celebration will be reviewed for
additions at the next meeting and given to Marie Roberts as liaison to the 300
Committee.
Chuck reported an Elm and a Maple are to be removed from the Battle Green.
d)Nursery:
An automatic watering valve has been installed at the nursery. Barbara Kent will begin
to turn the water on and off at the nursery and report any problems with the valve to Jim
Woods, Chris, or Julie. Chris is purchasing Gator bags for the new street trees. Chuck
reported that a new 24" auger will be purchased for planting. Jim was pleased with the
pre - planning and preparation to have everything organized and ready for the tree sapling
planting the next day at the nursery. Ten of the seventy trees ordered need to be returned
to Sylvan Nursery because they are not the species ordered. Jim suggested that the
available River Birch trees at the nursery would benefit from planting because of the size
of their roots in collaboration with Tree Committee members and the DPW Forestry
Department. Many street trees are in the midst of still being planted. Jewel and Chuck
placed the stakes on May 7th for the setback trees (organized by the areas of town). Allan
is to contact Dig Safe so planting can begin.
e)No new update regarding the Tree Inventory.
f)The Arbor Day Ceremony went very well at Hastings Park on April 27
g)Summer Interns — Unknown status to date.
h)The four sugar maple mitigation trees are to be transplanted to Lexington High School .
Two are to be planted in from the entrance on Waltham Street. Chuck suggested the two
to be planted at the corner of Park Drive and Muzzey St. need to be re- positioned either
back or in from the street to avoid the heavy snow plowing in the area.
i)The eight large pines have been removed from 8 Vaille Ave. No action /new information
is known about the large sugar maple at 25 Eliot Road.
j)Several trees may be removed at a teardown across from Sue Solomon's former home
on Whittier Road.
k) 31 Somerset Road /proposed root damage of neighboring Copper Beech. See
discussion above at the beginning of this meeting.
3).Friends of Trees:
Lexington 300 Anniversary -see 2c above.
Review of Tree Medal prototypes and prices from PhotoQuick -not discussed.
4)Barbara Kent joined the meeting today with a big welcome by all.
Meeting adjourned.
There was no remote participation. The meeting was not recorded.
Respectfully submitted,
Jewel Kuljian
Next regular meeting: June 14, 2012 at 7:30 AM at 201 Bedford Street, Room 125.