2018-06-14 Town Forest Committee Minutes

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F Town of Reading 3 Meeting Minutes - lJIaINCORtT :A.A 4( Board - Committee - Commission - Council: C(i29 MA'1 18 AH 9: 13 <✓ Town Forest Committee Date: 2018-06-14 Time: 7 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Town Forest Management Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Rick Wetzler, Dan Ford, Tom Gardiner, Bill Sullivan Members - Not Present: Nancy Docktor, Mike Bourque, Kurt Habel and Farrukh Najmi Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bill Sullivan Topics of Discussion: 1. The draft forest management plan prepared by certified forester Phil Benjamin dated 6/14/2018 (attached) was discussed with Mr. Benjamin by phone. The plan recommends a thinning operation in Stands 30, 38, 45 and 46 as shown in the attached map. Selectively removing approximately 20% to as much as 25% of the trees in the pilot area would allow sunlight to reach the understory which will stimulate growth of saplings in place of the old unhealthy pines in the limited pilot area. 2. Harvesting methods were discussed. Some are mechanized while some harvesting is done on a smaller scale. 3. The committee discussed the need to be aware of protected species and avoiding wetland impacts. Charles Tirone the Town's conservation administrator will be invited to attend a future site walk. 4. It is unknown if the funds that could be generated by the tree harvesting will offset the cost of the work. It may be necessary to seek additional funding from the Town to conduct the thinning operation. 5. Next steps include reviewing the pilot plan with the Barry Berman, Board of Selectman liason with the TFC. 6. The Trail's Committee has proposed new trail colors. The TFC voted in favor of the proposed blazing plan. 7. The committee needs to review the dog waste document prepared by Nancy Docktor. B. The next meeting was scheduled for July 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm. Page 1 1