2023-05-30 Town Forest Committee Minutes

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�. Or Rigg Town of Reading REGFIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK .. READING, MAS 2123 JUL 12 AM 3: 40 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Town Forest Committee Date: 2023-05-30 Time: 7 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Town Forest Management Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Tim Kirwan, Kurt Habel, Jeff Lamson, Bill Hughes, Bill Sullivan, Nancy Docktor,Tom Gardiner Members - Not Present: none Others Present: Jane Kinsela, DPW; Martha Moore and Chuck Tirone, Conservation Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor Topics of Discussion: Meeting was held in-person and by video conference Discussed Friends of Reading Scouting "Trees for Reading" campaign to raise funds to replant trees in the TF in the areas where dead pine trees were removed. The flier will be posted on the TF kiosks and at the TFC table for the upcoming Friends and Family Day. Continued discussion from last month of the proposed Bylaw change that would limit the number of off -leash dogs per handler in the TF. Reading Police Department confirmed that in order to be enforceable, the Bylaw must specifically state the number of off -leash dogs per handler, along with the fines that could be imposed for violations. Incorporating a reference to the Town Forest Rules and Regulations would not allow enforcement. The Committee voted to approve the attached Bylaw change language that defines "voice control" and limits the number of off -leash dogs to two per handler. The purpose of this proposed Bylaw change is to address complaints from residents about large groups of off - leash dogs in the TF, and to enhance public safety. RPD will support this Bylaw change. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the attached language. It must go to the Bylaw Committee before going to the November Town Meeting for approval. Discussed the next steps for invasive plant control in the TF. It was recently learned that the entire TF is considered Priority Habitat under the Mass. Endangered Species Act (MESA). This means that the upcoming invasive plant control project must be approved by the Mass. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) before it goes out to bid. It must also be approved by the Reading Conservation Commission. Chuck T. said that while there is a Town -wide trails permit, a Request for Determination of Applicability may be needed for the invasives work on the TF trails. Bill S. will contact NHESP to get more information the MESA application process. The goal is to utilize most of the remaining ARPA funds for invasives control in the fall of 2023. The NHESP application will also include replanting native plants on the steep section by the gas pipe from which dead pine trees were removed in November 2022. The Committee voted unanimously to authorize up to $10,000 of ARPA funds for Parterre Ecological to develop a planting plan and to plant native shrubs, berries and trees to secure the slope and provide wildlife habitat. Page I 1