2013-03-19 Town Forest Committee Minutes

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Reading Town Forest Committee Meeting, 3/19/13 7M! NOV 13 PM 6: 30 Arnold Berger Conference Room,Town Hall Committee members in attendance Terry Selle,Kendall Stackhouse,Patrice Todisco (Chair),Rick Wetzler,Tom Gardiner Town employees in attendance Kim Honetschlager(GIS Coordinator),Jeff Zager (Public Works Director) Visitors Nancy Doctor,Kirk Rossi Introduction of Public Works Director Jeff Zager provided a brief overview of the Reading Department of Public Works,which he directs, as the newly designated administrative base for the RTF committee. Tree Removal Proposal Kirk Rossi,a Reading resident his entire 23 years,requested RTF Committee approval for 10 tree removals,in support of his hobby cultivating bonsai. Preferably white birch,American larch,or hemlock,he proposed harvesting trees 10 feet or less in height and half-foot diameter(dbh)or smaller. In early Spring,he would remove and haul the trees responsibly,filling each resulting hole,while minimizing disturbance. Questions were raised about defining"responsible"removal and transport. Specific concerns involved potential: • site disturbance,particularly in riparian areas with erosion&sedimentation risks; • disturbance created via hauling;and • the larger concern that this could create an open season on removals (e.g.of holiday trees&foliage) by numerous others. Kirk agreed with the suggestion of replacing each removed tree with three small seedlings—such that there would be a net gain in species and age-class diversity. The Committee decided to table its final decision on the proposal,pending development of a precise list of potential impacts to be addressed,and steps that would be needed on Kirk Rossfs (or any other individual's)part to minimize these impacts. Meanwhile,he would be welcome to use the RTF site map on the Town website and to tag the trees for which he proposed removal. Following an inspection walk by one or more Committee members,action could then be taken on his proposal. Sites on land within Conservation Commission purview would need it's approval.