HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-24 Town Forest Committee Minutes49,
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Meeting Minutes I b'WN CLERK.A t4A. a
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 124 MAR -4 PM 2:27
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2024-1-24 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, Bill Sullivan, Bill Hughes, Tom Gardiner, Nancy
Docktor
Members - Not Present:
Jeff Lamson
Others Present:
Chris Cole, DPW
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• Discussed closing part of the Pine Ridge Trail due to safety concerns with falling dead red
pine trees. Trail is narrow so tree removal will be difficult. Cutting the dead trees near the
trail is tentatively scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025. The TFC and DPW will coordinate
with Trails Committee on the closure. The trail will be reopened after the dead trees are cut
down.
• Discussed the status of the proposed Bylaw change regarding the control of dogs in the
Town Forest. The Bylaw Committee reviewed the change and recommended that the
requirement that dog walkers carry a leash be clarified that they must carry "a leash per
dog". TFC voted unanimously to approve the Bylaw Committee's change. The revised
version is shown on the next page. The Acting Town Manager recommended that the effort
to obtain approval of the Bylaw change be delayed from the April Town Meeting to the
November TM due to the full agenda of the April meeting. TFC voted unanimously to
approve seeking TM approval at the November TM.
• Discussed the recent summit with Conservation and Trails. All agreed it was positive.
Support given for the next joint summit scheduled for 10/19/2024. K. Habel suggested that
the next summit include an organized invasive plant pull.
• Discussed ways that marketing can be used to attract volunteers, educate the public on
work being done in the Town Forest, and support future funding needs. Use of local and
national media, website, and SB liaison reports were discussed. T. Kirwan and N. Docktor
will work on a plan and follow up with TFC at the next meeting.
• Discussed the requirement that all committee members must complete Ethics Training.
• Discussed which native plants to choose from the MA Tree Warden List to guide a proposed
eagle scout project in Area 3. White oak and flowering dogwood were the committee's top
choices. TFC voted unanimously to approve $208.50 to purchase 100 dogwood saplings for
Area 8. Reading Tree Warden Mike Hannaford will be asked for his opinion.
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Ukli Meeting Minutes
• Suggestion that Phil Benjamin assist the committee with prioritizing areas of concern for
removal of dead trees and replanting of natives.
• Inventory of 25,000 dog waste bags remain. DPW will take over refilling the Wood End and
Strout Ave dispensers. The dispenser at the Council Ring will be removed. Thanks to DPW
for taking on this responsibility.
• Meeting minutes for the December TFC meeting were approved unanimously.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 2/22/24
Proposed Changes to the Reading General Bylaws
as Approved by the Bylaw Committee on 1/10/2024
and the Town Forest Committee on 1124/2024
Article : Expand and clarify the definition of Effective Voice Control of an animal
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 8.8.1.3 Effective Voice Control as follows:
Effective Voice Control
An animal shall be deemed to be "under effective voice control° if it is (i) within the handler's sight, (ii)
refrains from aggressive behavior, (iii) comes immediately when called by its handler, and (iv) the
handler is carrying a leash per dog. Aggressive behavior is any behavior that would cause a reasonable
person to believe the dog poses an unjustified imminent threat of physical injury to a person or another dog,
including but not limited to jumping on, repeatedly barking at, or approaching any person without their
consent
Article : Control of off -leash dogs in the Town Forest
To we if the Town will vote to amend Section 8.8.3.2 of the General Bylaws by (1) inserting a new Section
8.8.3.2.3, as follows:
Town Forest
The maximum number of off -leash dogs shall not exceed two per handler in the Town Forest. Any dog
that does not remain under effective voice control, as defined in Section 8.8.1.3, must be placed on a
leash or removed from the Town Forest immediately. Dog waste must be removed in accordance with
Section 8.8.3.3. Dogs must be leashed when entering or exiting the Town Forest. Visitors who do not
abide by these rules may be required to leave the Town Forest, in addition to any enforcement action
provided for under G. L. c.40, §21 D and Section 1.8 of these Bylaws.
and (2) Renumbering the remaining section accordingly; or take any other action with respect thereto.
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