HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-22 Town Forest Committee Minutesv 1 4
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2024-2-22 Time: 7 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Tim Kirwan, Jeff Lamson, Bill Sullivan, Bill Hughes, Tom Gardiner, Nancy
Docktor
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Chris Cole, DPW; Chuck Tirone and Walter Talbot, Conservation; John
Meyers and Charlie Weld, Troop 702
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• Reviewed Charlie Weld's Eagle Project to plant saplings (50 white oaks/50 tulip poplar) in
Area 2 around Arbor Day. The Committee requested that he use wire cages to discourage
deer grazing. Troop 702 may need to remove the rages at a later date. Tree Warden Mike
Hannaford strongly discouraged the previous choice of dogwood for replanting and
requested that tulip poplar be planted instead. The Scouts Trees for Reading program will
fund the purchase of the saplings. Buckthorn pulling will be done in Area 2 as time permits.
C. Tirone said that since the work will be outside the wetland buffer zone, Conservation
Commission approval is not required.
• Discussed the closure of a section of the Pine Ridge Trail due to the hazard of falling dead
red pine trees. This will be coordinated with the Trails Committee. Discussed the material of
the signs, location of posting, and additional means to educate the public on the closing.
• Discussed the addition of areas of interest to the TF map. Naming and identification of such
will help orientate forest users and aid first responders.
• A site walk will be arranged to decide what areas should be included in Phase 4 of the dead
tree removal program. Invitees will include Conservation, Trails, TFC, DPW, Certified
Forester Phil Benjamin and the DCR Service Forester.
• Discussed recruitment for two open positions on the Committee.
• The Committee decided to move committee meetings to the third Wednesdays of each
month, and to start the meetings at 6:30 p.m.
• Meeting minutes for the January TFC meeting were approved unanimously.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 3/20/24.
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