HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-11 Town Forest Committee MinutesTopics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• Reviewed status of the permitting and bidding for invasive plant control. Mass. Fish &
Wildlife concern is centered on how the work will be done to minimize the environmental
impact, in particular the salamander.
• MESA application is complete. The goal is to complete the RDA in time for the 8/9/2023
Conversation Commission meeting. Chuck Tirone asked that the RDA be submitted by July
26 to allow adequate time for review.
• Replanting of the steep slope of Area 7 will be done by Parterre Ecological in September
to control erosion.
• Sign revisions were discussed. Metal is preferred given the cost and need for durability.
The signs will be 36° x 48". They will reflect the current bylaw and TF Rules. Need to
determine a phone number for the Animal Control Officer as the ACO is now under the
Health Department. The revised sign tela was approved unanimously.
• Discussed Friends of Reading Town Forest Facebook page, which has recently had more
traffic with 414 members listed. The content has gotten contentious to the point Jeff put the
page on pause. Discussed what would be an official vs unofficial town forest page as well as
who would monitor, i.e., member of TFC vs. a non -committee member. Benefit was seen in
keeping the page but with clear rules. Jeff will research rule changes and bring it back to a
future meeting.
• Update on 9/23/23 Town Forest Appreciation Day. Requested that Black Earth, Reading
Garden Club, Plant Lady (Terry Hale), and Trails and Conservation be included.
• Meeting minutes of May and June were approved unanimously as amended
• Kurt shared local book "A Year in the Forest" by Jack Carroll, about the Reading Town
Forest.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 8/8/23
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Meeting Minutes
2023 OCT 16 Afl 11:14114
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2023-07-11 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
Sullivan, Nancy Docktor, Tom
Gardiner
Members - Not Present:
Bill Hughes
Others Present:
Remote: Jane Kinsela, DPW; Martha Moore,
Conservation; Bob Holmes,
Reading Chronicle
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• Reviewed status of the permitting and bidding for invasive plant control. Mass. Fish &
Wildlife concern is centered on how the work will be done to minimize the environmental
impact, in particular the salamander.
• MESA application is complete. The goal is to complete the RDA in time for the 8/9/2023
Conversation Commission meeting. Chuck Tirone asked that the RDA be submitted by July
26 to allow adequate time for review.
• Replanting of the steep slope of Area 7 will be done by Parterre Ecological in September
to control erosion.
• Sign revisions were discussed. Metal is preferred given the cost and need for durability.
The signs will be 36° x 48". They will reflect the current bylaw and TF Rules. Need to
determine a phone number for the Animal Control Officer as the ACO is now under the
Health Department. The revised sign tela was approved unanimously.
• Discussed Friends of Reading Town Forest Facebook page, which has recently had more
traffic with 414 members listed. The content has gotten contentious to the point Jeff put the
page on pause. Discussed what would be an official vs unofficial town forest page as well as
who would monitor, i.e., member of TFC vs. a non -committee member. Benefit was seen in
keeping the page but with clear rules. Jeff will research rule changes and bring it back to a
future meeting.
• Update on 9/23/23 Town Forest Appreciation Day. Requested that Black Earth, Reading
Garden Club, Plant Lady (Terry Hale), and Trails and Conservation be included.
• Meeting minutes of May and June were approved unanimously as amended
• Kurt shared local book "A Year in the Forest" by Jack Carroll, about the Reading Town
Forest.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 8/8/23
Page 1 1