HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-17 Town Forest Committee MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Cammissioh23 0 nc2il:
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2023-01-17 Time: 7 PM
Building: Location:
Address:
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Tim Kirwan, Kurt Habel, Tom Gardiner, Nancy Dockter, Jeff Lamson, Bill
Hughes, Susan Bowe, BIII Sullivan
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Jane Kinsela, DPW; Martha Moore, Conservation
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Bill Sullivan
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held by video conference due to the COVID pandemic.
• Discussed request by a Reading resident to hold her wedding in the TF. Concern was
raised about the precedence that allowing a private event in the TF would set. Other
venues were suggested that have better access and are better equipped with facilities.
• Discussed the invasive plant inventory and control plan being prepared by Parterre
Ecological. The draft report is due at the end of January. This plan will form the basis for
the documents that will be prepared for bidding invasive plant control starting with the
areas of greatest need. This contract will utilize most of the remaining ARPA funds.
• Discussed what native plants to plant in the recently cut areas. Follow recommendations
on Garden in the Woods, Framingham. Can purchase from the State Nursery.
• Kurt H. offered to transplant blueberries to recently cleared Area 8. The Committee
voted unanimously to approve this.
• Five of the eight informational plaques on the loop road near the Compost area were
damaged. It was decided that the damaged plaques and posts should be removed.
• Discussed the naming of TF fire roads. A meeting will be held on 1/23/23 between DPW,
RPD and RFD to decide on the names. TFC recommended metal signs with names FR-
A, B, C, etc., but will defer to RFD and RPD preference.
• Discussed request from MARK9 Search and Rescue to allow dog team training in the TF
on Thursday nights. MARK9 provides search and rescue services to law enforcement
and fire/rescue agencies. Will notify RPD in advance. Will be 3-4 dog/handler teams.
The Committee voted unanimously to approve the training.
• Approved the minutes of the 12/20/22 TFC meeting.
• Next Meeting: scheduled for 2/28/23 at 7:00 pm
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