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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2025-1-13 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jeff Lamson, Tim Kirwan, Christine Lusk (remote), Brandy Hopkins, Bill
Hughes, Bill Sullivan, Nancy Docktor
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Chris Cole and Mike Kessman, DPW; Chuck Tirone and Walter Talbot,
Conservation; Bob Weggel (all 5 remote);
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in-person and by video conference
• Discussed a complaint made by a resident regarding a commercial dog walker. Incident
(videotaped) is described by the resident as an assault and was referred to RPD. RPD
stated that the resident failed to follow up with RPD. TFC cannot pursue this matter further
without the resident's cooperation with RPD.
• Reviewed the status of Phase 4 of the dead tree cutting program. Few dead trees remain in
the forest after the 4 phases. DPW did an excellent job with marking off the work areas and
blocking access. A final site walk on 1/13/25 with the DCR Service Forester and the Town
completed DCR's approval of the work and closes the Forest Cutting Plan. The
Conservation Administrator will discuss the work and replanting with the Commission.
• Discussed replanting in Areas 5, 12 and 13. Certified Forester, OCR and Reading's Tree
Warden agreed that a strong seed bank in the areas would allow for regrowth. They
suggested letting nature take its course. There will be an ongoing need to control invasives
in the cleared areas. Library is planning an event on Arbor Day to replant trees in the TF.
• Discussed Phase 5 of the invasive plant control program.
• The Animal Control Bylaw change was reviewed as well as the associated signage. B.
Sullivan will meet with RPD and the Health Department this week to discuss what phone
number to post for animal complaints and the protocol for reporting any incidents. The
Committee voted unanimously to approve the sign pending approval of the Bylaw change by
the AG's Office and once the Town establishes a phone number for the Animal Control
Officer.
• Reviewed the Town Forest Rules and Regulations. The Committee voted unanimously to
accept the rules as amended. Submission to the Select Board for approval will follow.
• Discussed the 1/12/25 Land Summit. It was agreed that it was beneficial.
• The Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the 12/16/24 meeting.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 2/10/25.
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