HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-27 Town Forest Committee Minutes r�P! Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - committee - commission - Council:
P., 12: 38
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2019-02-27 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location: Berger Room
Address:
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Farrukh Najmi, William Sullivan, Kurt Habel, Dan Ford, Thomas Gardiner
Members - Not Present:
Michael Bourque, Nancy Doktor, Rick Wetzler
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Farrukh Najmi
Topics of Discussion:
1. Discussed plan for meeting with Reading Conservation Commission
2. Motion to approve meeting minutes from Jan 15 2019 with correction
Unanimously approved
3. Next Meeting:
March 19, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
4. Meeting followed by Chair Bill Sullivan presenting on behalf of Town Forest
Committee to Reading Conservation Commission
Highlights of Presentation
• Initial forest management plan prepared by Forester in 2010
• Trees were categorized as Saplings,poles or large trees
Original trees were planted in 1930 and are now getting old and susceptible to disease,drought
and mono-culture
Revised forest management proposal is for a pilot project to do selective thinning in a pilot area of
5 acres,to remove 20-25%of tress. Forester Phil Benjamin has recommended removal of
diseased trees as it is better to remove them while alive.
Town Forest Committee is requesting a site visit with the Conservation Commission
Question and Answers
Q:Why was harvesting in the forest stopped?
A: It just stopped
Q:Why 5 acres,why the chosen area?
A: The chosen area is more accessible to large vehicles and big enough to be economically viable
Q:Will the thinned area be naturally reforested or will it be replanted?
A: Naturally reforested
Page I 1
Q:When is the ideal time for the cuffing?
A:The ideal time is when the ground is frozen
Q:Will there be a skidder going in?
A:Yes
Q:Are we able to sell what is harvested?
A:Only if it is alive.We don't know if we will break even. Forester thought It would be around revenue
neutral
Q:Are there any wetland crossings to get to the area?
A:All access is by road and there will be no wefiand crossings
Q:Who cleans up slash after the cutting?
A: It is up to us what we put in the bid document
Q:What are next steps?
A:
1. Site visit with Conservation Commission
2. Talk to Selectmen
3. Hold public hearing
4. Prepare bid documents
Guidance from Conservation Commission
• TFC should talk to Mike Hannaford(Tree Warden)and keep him involved in all discussions
Page 1 2