HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-16 Town Forest Committee Minutes � �A �
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Town Forest Committee
Date: 2024-07-16 Time: T.00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Tim Kirwan (remote), leff Lamson, Bill Sullivan, 8ill Hughes, Nancy Docktor
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Chris Cole (remote) and Mike Kessman, DPW; Chuck Tirone, Conservation;
Brian Buzby and Christine Lusk (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Mee[ing was held in-person and by video conference
• Discussed the recent Friends and Family Day.
. Reviewed Select Board liaison feedback on plan to request $150k at the November Town
Meeting for tree removal and invasive plant management. B. Sullivan will make a
presentation to the SB in August describing the request. A grant request will be submitted to
DRC to help offset the cost.
• Discussed how to address the Japanese knotweed in the Compost area as it will eventually
spread into the TF. TFC will get a budget estimate from a horticultural firm so that DPW will
know how much funding to seek.
. Thank you to DPW for placing dog waste bag dispensers and trash barrels at the three
primary entrances. There has been a notable increase recently in dog waste in the forest.
Committee voted to approve spending up to $250 for signs on dog waste removal.
• The warrant for the proposed Bylaw change on the number of dogs off leash per handler is
slated for the November TM. BoH Director and Dog Officer will be contacted for support.
. RCN is unable to do a PSA on TF issues unless a student specifically pursues it. C. Wsk
suggested using social media. C. Lusk, J. Lamson and N. Docktor will pursue this.
• Issue of tracking and recording incidents and/or complaints occurring in the TF was
discussed. Consensus is that current guidelines are to report all incidents to RPD. N.
Docktor will request that RPD notify TFC when they receive such.
• Discussed permitting for Phase 4 of the dead tree removal program. C. Tirone said that the
RDA must be submitted 2 weeks in advance of the Conservation Commission meeting
(either on 9/11 or 9/25). A site visit will be required before submitting the RDA. The Forest
Cutting Plan submitted to DCR by Phil Benjamin will be reviewed by MESA so a separate
application to MESA is not required.
• Discussed Area 7 closure for reforestation. Signs were delivered to DPW, which will mount
them on the posts. Thank you DPW! TFC will install them.
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• Idea of a permanent portable toilet was discussed. Cost and upkeep are an issue. This as
well as the possibility of a permanent structure was tabled for the time being. It was also
pointed out by C. Tirone that Lot 5 is under Conservation stewardship due to Article 97 and
there may be restrictions on placing a toilet in it.
• Membership vacancies on the TFC was discussed. B. Buzby and C. Lusk have expressed
interest in joining TFC. The TFC eagerly awaits their VASC appointments.
• TFC will have a table at the October New Resident Faire to highlight the TFC and continue
to seek community engagement.
• B. Sullivan was reelected as Chair of the TFC, T. Kinvan as Vice Chair, and N. Docktor
remains as Secretary for the upcoming year.
• Meeting minutes for the June TFC meeting were approved unanimously.
• Neut meeting was scheduled for 8/13/24
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