Minutes
Tree Committee · from the Town's website · 2 pages · 195 KB
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Name of Public Body: Tree Committee Date and Time of Meeting: 6:00 PM Wednesday April 1, 2026 Location of Meeting: Public Works Department AGENDA Call Meeting to order 6:01 Who is in attendance Tim Duplin, Tom Derderian, Joanne Hillman, Drew Stock and Kim Withaus Review and Approve prior meetings minutes from the February Meeting Drew makes a motion to approve the minutes, Tom second all approved Tree Warden Report Out - Three more trees had to be removed because they posed a risk, Tom to send Kim list to be added here but a bigger concern is that more trees are being removed than added. Other concerns are the trees around the library since they want a drive apron around the firehouse. Library trustees are concerned that it is alleged raccoons that are causing issues for the library's roof. Tree warden does not have authority to remove a tree unless it's a hazard, diseased or overcrowded. The head of DPW is saying that only he has authority over the library since he is by default the park commissioner. Joanne says that per Chapter 87 if it is a park or a public way that the park commissioner is over that but still a tree removal must have a hearing and the public must be notified. The Tree Committee insists that the Tree Warden per the state law insist that a hearing must be held whenever a tree is to be cut down unless there is a hazardous situation. It was agreed that the tree committee will go look at the trees and see if the trees can just be pruned vs removed. ANC rules must be followed and a certified arborist not just a landscape company. The last company did it incorrectly so we want to make sure this does not happen again. There is an ethical code to make sure there is a certified arborist to meet the criteria. Town Manager, the DPW and the library have agreed that Tom will supervise the cuttings. The Tree Committee needs to explain Chapter 87 that trees cannot be cut down without a public hearing with the Tree Committee present. Steve Calla said that according to the town charter, by default he is the Park Commissioner since Winthrop does not have one. We could not locate that language in the charter and should seek help with that. The Memorial Tree is also being removed and replaced with a Dawn Redwood behind GFB by the soccer field. Review and Discuss 2025/2026 Language for Update to Tree Ordinance Ordinance Review- moved to next meeting. Tree Maintenance, Plantings and Removals- The trees in our nursery did well for the most part over the winter, bunnies did not destroy that many. Drew has many trees sprouting on his property that will be 2 to 3 feet next year. American Plum, Beech Plum, dwarf oaks, Black cherry and hazelnuts. An inch and a half is the minimum diameter necessary for a street tree. New Firestation Project tree removal and replanting plan - When the landscape architect came to our meeting, he explained that he will be taking down trees and replacing them with even more trees to enhance Winthrop’s tree canopy. Good size trees will be important to help with the sound issues from the trucks. Firestation will begin the project now and continue for 15 months. The Revere Street Project said we will get 30 new trees. There will be a meeting at the Senior Center regarding the Revere Street Project that we will make sure to monitor since we had already picked out the trees and locations for the trees. April 4th at 9:00 am to go over the plan at the Senior Center. Andrew Valcovic from CHA Solutions. We emailed CHA solutions to find out more information regarding Saturday’s meeting. If the trees get planted this spring, how they will get watered is a grave concern. Tom wrote a grant for a water truck but no news yet. Our Tree Warden and Tim Duplin have been watering our newly planted trees using a water bucket in his trunk. Kim will request Drew and I to be added to the Tree Committee Email. Drew Stock’s email is [removed] and [removed] for Kim Witthaus everyone else is correct and we will also request to be put on the agenda for an upcoming council meeting to discuss several concerns. Tree Donation & Public Outreach Update on Discussion about Inventory with town GIS - The Tree Commission needs to bring this up to the Town Council and Town Manager. New Business Mark C from 37 Everson donated $500 for a new tree in front of his house. Two new trees in front of the Point Shirley Association. And one on the public stairs by Hale ave Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 This listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.