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Board -Committee- commission -Council: Ali 9• 19
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2025-3-25 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, Brandy Hopkins, Bill Hughes, Bill
Sullivan, Nancy Docktor
Members - Not Present:
none
Others Present:
Mike Kessman, DPW; Walter Talbot, Conservation; Mike Cassettari and Dave
Flynn (all remote); Evan and Chris Audley, and Iago Vazquez Troop 702
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Nancy Docktor
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held in -person and by video conference
• Evan Audley presented his Eagle Scout project, which is replacing B old, rotted steps on the
Pine Ridge Trail. Some suggestions made and accepted included installing narrower steps
to allow bikes to pass, using composite material for a handrail, and coordinating with
Conservation and Trails. The plaque on the stairs from the original project will be preserved.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the project.
• Reviewed plans for the joint Arbor Day planting. Next planning meeting is Tuesday 4/1 at
the Library.
• Discussed the AG's approval of the Bylaw change regarding off -leash dogs. The updated
General Bylaw has been posted on the Town's website. Discussion centered on how best to
publicize the change including social media, Town Manager monthly newsletter, and
sending a letter to dog -related businesses.
• Reading resident Mike Cassettari shared a recent dog incident involving a commercial dog
walker with 6 large off -leash dogs. Both he and his leashed dog were surrounded by the 6
dogs that were barking aggressively at them. The dog walker called to the dogs, but she had
no control over them. The incident was reported to Animal Control.
• C. Lusk gave an update on a Reading resident who posted on social media that her son had
been bitten by an off -leash dog. The resident declined to report the incident to Animal
Control.
• Discussed continuing efforts to educate the public on the Bylaw change and dog etiquette in
the Town Forest, particularly the definition of effective voice control.
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
• The updated Town Forest Regulations will be submitted to the Select Board for approval as
soon as possible.
• Discussed the new TF entrance sign. The phone number for the RPD business line (944-
1212) was added to the sign to report dog bites to be consistent with the Health Department
webpage. The committee voted unanimously to approve the revised sign language
conditional on approval by Chief Clark.
• Discussed the invasive plant control bid that is scheduled to go out next week. The DCR
funding must be expended by mid -June. TFC and Town Meeting funding must be
encumbered by the end of June. M. Kessman suggested and it was accepted by TFC to bid
a single package to maximize efficiency. Discussed the need to request annual funding to
continue the invasive plant work.
• David Flynn submitted an application to join the TFC and is awaiting a VASC appointment.
• N. Docktor will follow up with B. Hughes on a work vest order for TFC.
• The Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the 2/10/25 meeting.
• Next meeting was scheduled for 4/21/25 (subsequently rescheduled for 4/22/25)
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