2023-03-14 Town Forest Committee Minutes

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a OFR RECEIVED o� , Town of Reading TOWN CLERK Meeting Minutes R72 Q n t-21- M A. 2t22 JUN -5 At1 7: 3, S,9 INC007% Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Town Forest Committee Date: 2023-03-14 Time: 7 PM Building: Location: Address: Purpose: Town Forest Management Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Tim Kirwan, Kurt Habel, Nancy Docktor, Jeff Lamson, Bill Hughes, Tom Gardiner, Bill Sullivan Members - Not Present: none Others Present: Jane Kinsela, DPW; Martha Moore, Conservation; Steve Gousie and John Kastrinos, Friends of Reading Scouting Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor Topics of Discussion: Meeting was held by video conference due to a winter storm. • Presentation by Steve Gousie from Friends of Reading Scouting. Proposal for fundraising for replanting trees in the TF discussed which had full support from TFC. Kurt Habel raised issue of saplings vs seedlings within budget considerations. • Review of the state of the ARPA funds and update on current forest plan,including review of Phase two and three estimates for invasive plant removal. • Bill Sullivan shared his planned presentation to the 3/21 Select Board meeting. Discussion with Jane Kinsella and members regarding FY 24 funding request for possible November TM. • Tim Kirwan raised discussion regarding time frame and limitations of forest plan. Educating public on health of town forest and TFC role discussed.Current work noted to have made a dent and member cited positive feedback from public thus far. • RPD notified TFC of another complaint regarding a large group of off-leash dogs.Tim Kirwan and Jeff Lamson,as part of TFC working group,are collecting data from surrounding communities on policies and will present comprehensive report at later date to TFC. • Signs for fire roads in the TF were discussed.Posting locations and materials are TBA with input from DPW.Chief Burns has signed off on fire road naming. • Entrance sign presented with categories of general,vehicles,and dogs reviewed,discussed,finalized and voted on by TFC. • Parterre plan for invasive plant removal was summarized.Awaiting the priority list from Parterre which looks like a focus on Japanese knotweed and Buckthorn.Areas of concern on Strout Ave discussed but may need to be postponed due to a requirement for National Heritage approval. • Reviewed TFC participation with the Trails Committee on Friends and Family Day on June 10th.Sign up for committee members will be available to work shifts during the event. • Overview of joint Forest Day with Ipswich River Association shared by Nancy Docktor.Committee decided on half day event 9/23,entrance will be Wood End School.Line up of speakers and groups in the works. • Minutes from 2/28 reviewed and voted to approve. Page I 1