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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-13Tree Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 31/13/12 7pm. Community Room (Town Building) Members Present: Paul Droz, Dale Gary, Benjamin Champoux, David Champoux, Whit Bourne Members Not Present: Sam Myers, Terry Pommet Open Meeting requirements discussion / imolementation: Committee discussed andryvirned current CIVIL requirements. c m � n 70 Elect secretary and Keep Minutes: Paul Droz nominated Michael Misurelli, David Cha;Noy8.sec6lUed nomination. Vote was unanimous Michael Misurelli secretary. Co rn Update from Town Arborist: Town Arborist Dale Gary reports since January 2012 278 *Les:00ung 30 removed, 5 new plantings. No significant damage from superstorm Sandy or recent nQr;easw. r s m Town Tree maintenance for the remainder of 2012 and upcoming in 2013 discussion: TsikjTy remove 2 downtown main St. Pear trees due to safety concerns. The trees in question are demonstrating many weak v crotches and are in decline. Life span of pear trees are approximately 25 years (reported to advisory committee by concerned citizen and professional arborist lames Cook). There was some general discussion amongst members if cabling would be worthwhile and what would be replanted in the removed trees place. It was determined cabling would not be a good use of funds for these trees. The committee agreed to go ahead with removal if Dale Gary sees fit. A maple on Lucretia Mott Ln. and Judith Chase will be coming down due to failure. Town Tree Removals: Discussion on the declining elms in front of Pacific National Bank. If removed they will be replaced with 4" caliper Valley Forge Elms. The tree costs will be covered by a local group. It was not known at the meeting who was offering the donation. Dale Gary recommended contacting Erica Mooney for further information. The trees in question are not showing Dutch elm disease. Decline is attributed to old age or unknown base conditions. Advisory member Paul Droz made a motion for removal and replacement of the trees. Motion was seconded by Advisory member Benjamin Champoux and the vote was unanimous. It was recommended that metal tree grates currently owned by the town be placed over the new trees post planting. Discussion and Vote on Evelyn St. American Lindens: Benjamin Champoux and David Champoux recused and left the room at 7:29pm. Secretary and Advisory member took over the meeting at this time. The owner is requesting the tree be removed due to damage during construction. The tree was pruned by Bartlett Tree Experts 3 years ago the crown is not in good condition. Owner is requesting the tee be moved slightly and replanted. Owner will be responsible for all costs associated with removal and replanting. Town Arborist Dale Gary made motion to remove and replant Advisory member Paul Droz seconded and the vote was unanimous. Benjamin and David Champoux returned to the meeting room at 7:36pm. Town Tree Warden David Champoux took the meeting back at this time. Update Town Elm removed from 26 Orange Street: Advisory member Misurelli reported the Valley Forge Elm removed from 26 Orange St. has been replanted on Old South Rd. across from Key Post Corner amongst a group of three. A new Golden Raintree will be planted on Orange St. under the canopy of the large 26 Orange Elm. This work is being done at the expense of current 26 Orange St. owners. There was a general discussion about how this recent round of planting and transplanting came about since the Advisory committee had advised the BOS in the past to not allow the tree to be moved at this location. David Champoux reported that town officials wanted resolve on the issue of the 26 Orange St. Elm. Discussion Town Elm and Ash Cd former Post Office Annex Pleasant St. Re: Cape Cod 5 construction: There is not a spade large enough on island to move these trees. The trees in their current location pose a construction problem for the Cape Cod 5 proposed new constructions. Advisory committee recommends a value be placed on these trees by comparing several different valuation methods. Advisory members available will meet on 11/14/2012 3:45pm at the location in question to develop a plan for further discussion on possible removal and monetary value for reimbursement to the Tree Fund. Update of Privately held Elm located on 44 Fair Street: A large and prestigious Elm located on 44 Fair St. is slated for removal. The tree is a smooth leaf elm and believed to be a European strand. Although the tree is on private property it and is not a Town Tree it was brought to the attention of the Advisory Committee as a courtesy to investigate if it held historical value. No historical value was determined. Bartlett Tree Experts will be contracted to remove the tree. Discussion of how the wood will be handled ensued since Elm Bark Beetle is attracted to elm and will breed under the bark layer in cut wood. It is recommended that as much of tree as possible be chipped to limit the possibility of breeding material. The remainder will be disposed of in the landfill under current MA tree law guidelines. Additional Committee Input: The large Elm in front of the former Point Breeze and current Nantucket Hotel continues to be hit and healing has been limited. It will be pruned this winter and needs cabling to preserve the inner structure of the tree. The winter pruning will focus on taking weight off the street side yearly deadwood monitoring is recommended. Public input: Concerned citizen lames Cook reports there are 3 Elms behind J Pepper Frazier that are under discussion for removal. These are determined not to be Town Trees and out of the Advisory Committees jurisdiction. 8:22 PM David Champoux motion to Adjourn Whit Bourne Second. Next meeting December 11 @7pm location to be announced.