HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-30 Town Forest Committee Minutes�. 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.
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes s
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Discussed Phase 4 of the dead pine tree removal program. The Committee decided to
schedule Phase 4 for the fall/Winter of 2024/2025. Recent storms have brought down a
number of dead trees by the Pine Ridge Trail. Certified Forester Phil Benjamin will be asked
to prepare the Forest Cutting Plan.
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