HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-19 Town Forest Committee Minutes� Orq
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes 1 DVVN, C
aav°�
Board -Committee -Commission - Counc i, ` % -4 PM 2; 21
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2023-12-19 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, Nancy Docktor (remote)
Members - Not Present:
Jeff Lamson and Tom Gardiner
Others Present:
Steve Gousie, Jeff Lonks and John House, BSA Scouts
Chris Cole, DPW; Chuck Tirone and Martha Moore, Conservation
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• The Committee asked two Scouts who recently completed Eagle projects in the TF to attend
the meeting in order to discuss their projects and so the Committee could express
appreciation for their work. Jeff Lonks' project was the replacement of a 40 -fl section of the
Alligator Alley boardwalk. John House planted ten 15 -foot -tall native trees in Area 10 that
was cleared in the last phase of dead tree removal. Both projects are greatly appreciated.
• Chris Cole is the new DPW Director. Due to scheduling conflicts, the TFC meetings will
move from Tuesdays to Thursdays to allow his attendance.
• Discussed the recent Friends of the Reading TF Facebook post about a dog bite of a 13 boy
on his bike in the Town Forest. Bill Sullivan asked the boy's mother to file a report with the
Animal Control Officer so that these incidents can be tracked.
• Phase 4 of the dead tree removal program was discussed. The plan is to have Certified
Forester Phil Benjamin survey the TF to define priorities. A Forest Cutting Plan must be
prepared in order to obtain State and Reading Conservation approval. Area 5, through
which the Pine Ridge Trail runs, is the most difficult for logging equipment to access. It may
be necessary to cut the trees and leave them in place. The current schedule is to seek
funding at the November 2024 Town Meeting and to complete the next phase of dead tree
removal during the winter of 2024/2025. As with previous phases, a DCR grant will be
sought.
• Reviewed the work completed by Parterre Ecological in Area 7 by the gas line. They planted
75 trees and shrubs, and spread native plant and wildflower seeds throughout the area.
• Discussed the upcoming joint land use committee meeting between TF, Conservation, and
Trails to increase cooperation, coordination, and communication. Date to be announced.
• Began planning for 2024 Earth Day.
• The fire road naming has been finalized. The map should be posted to the TF webpage.
• Meeting minutes for the November TFC meeting were approved unanimously.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 1/25/24 (subsequently rescheduled for 1/24/24).
Page 1 1