2023-02-28 Town Forest Committee Minutes

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Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: RECEIVED J�•orn�c TOWN CLERK READING, MA. n`,, ,;.r.o 2023 MAR 28 PM 4: 50 " "`°" Town Forest Committee Date: 2023-02-28 Time: 7 PM Building: Location: Address: Purpose: Town Forest Management Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Tim Kirwan, Kurt Habel, Nancy Dockter, Jeff Lamson, Bill Hughes, Bill Sullivan Members - Not Present: Tom Gardiner Others Present: Jane Kinsela, DPW; Chuck Tirone and Martha Moore, Conservation; Miles Connors and Margo Yane, Parterre Ecological Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bill Sullivan Topics of Discussion: Meeting was held by video conference due to the COVID pandemic. Parterre Ecological presented their draft invasive plant inventory and control plan. o The most immediate concern is the Japanese knotweed in the Compost area loam. The rhizomes can start new populations if the loam is used elsewhere. Treatment is done by cutting in early June followed by application of Glyphosate in early September. This process was used on Maillet Conservation Land which is close to the Abedona River. A permit from Conservation will be required. Repeated treatments over 3-4 years will be needed before the knotweed is controlled. o Buckthorn is the most prevalent invasive plant in the TF. Cut and dab treatment is used for buckthorn larger than 1° diameter. Smaller plants should be pulled. o There are many trees of heaven in the Compost area. Control is done by basal bark treatment which will kill the trees. Removal can follow once the trees are dead. o Areas must be posted and cordoned off after treatment with herbicides. o Parterre observed a large variety of native plants in the areas disturbed by dead tree removal. This will facilitate reestablishment of these areas with native plants. o The final report will be posted on the TFC webpage. Discussed what native plants to plant in the recently cut areas. Plant selection should follow the recommendations of Garden in the Woods. Can purchase from the Mass. Tree Wardens and Foresters Association (-$2 per seedling). Discussed a change to the TF Rules to allow kiln dried wood and wood from trees grown within 10 miles of Reading to be brought into the TF for campfires. The committee voted unanimously to approve this change. Discussed new signs at the TF entrances that will summarize the TF Rules. The revised sign text will be discussed at the March meeting. Page I 1