HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-28 Town Forest Committee MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
RECEIVED J�•orn�c
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
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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.
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• The proposed dog fountain will cost about $5,000. The TFC does not have the budget to
pay for this. Funding will have to come from another source.
• Discussed rouge trails in the TF including signage or blocking them with trees. TFC will
work with the Trails Committee on a solution.
• TFC voted to elect Kurt Habel as Committee vice chair. Nancy Dockter will be the
secretary.
• Discussed holding a Town Forest Appreciation Day similar to the event held last May. It
will be held in September. The Ipswich River Watershed Association has offered to co-
sponsor the event.
• TF fire roads have been named by RPD, RFD and DPW as TF-1, TF-2, etc.
• The committee decided to hold the next meeting in-person and on Zoom.
• Approved the minutes of the 1/17/2023 TFC meeting.
• Next Meeting: scheduled for 3/14/23 at 7:00 pm
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