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MINUTES
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
November 6, 2006 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: PersonNameSarah Cannon Holden (chairman), Gary Taylor
STAFF: Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements: Mr. Taylor thanked the Town for their support for the two articles regarding the Deaconness and Mall projects. He also thanked the Planning Board for their assistance, particularly Chairman Ken Hurd. Mrs. Holden thanked the Deaconess Steering Committee for their work on the project, noting that Mr. Taylor and Mr. Higgins were liaisons to the committee.
Appointments
Ken Bassett, Town Tree Warden Continuation of Public Hearing
RE: List of Proposed Trees for Removal
Also present for the hearing were the following NSTAR representatives: Bill Hayes, John Ventura, Vanessa Dube, AnneMarie Walsh.
Residents present: Julie Jewett, Jack Mahoney, Eleanor Mahoney, Judah Schwartz, Jean Thormann, Major Eric Dessain, MD, for Tatiana Dessain, Homer & Beverly Eckhardt
The Chairman opened the hearing, noting that it was a continuation of the Public Shade Tree Hearing held by the Planning Board and the Tree Warden on October 11. The Chairman asked representatives of NSTAR and the Mr. Bassett to come to the table to open discussion. Mr. Bassett said the public hearing was held in conjunction with the Planning Board hearing regarding scenic roads as specified in the State law. As outlined in his letter of dateYear2006Day18Month10October 18, 2006, Mr. Bassett explained that he had first received notice of the NSTAR request on June 21. Sixty-one trees were outlined in the letter. He had reservations on ten of these. His criteria was 1) to agree if they were dead or dying; 2) agree if they were weak or weak -wooded; or 3) if they were entangled in
wires, but other trees nearby would offset the loss of the specified tree. As required, abutters were noticed and the ad was in the paper two times, and residents were invited to comment. Residents objected and those trees were added to the list. Bill Hayes, NSTAR arborist, said that 61 trees were being considered for removal either dead, in decline, or close proximity to wires. The trees that are close to wire and have contact with them cause problems to the system. While some of the trees are strong, the issue is the proximity of limbs or the tree to the conductors. Mr. Basset explained that in the past, the DPW Director would work with NSTAR to identify trees that were a liability and the would be removed. Mr. Hayes explained that he was hired in 200 as an arborist, and tree pruning now uses a clearance of 8’ to the side, 8 feet below and 12 feet above. The State regulators (such as the DTE) are requiring more
clearing because people are drawing more energy. Trees that were left alone for awhile have become large trees. Management is now sub-station to sub-station, within a circuit, rather than town by town. They need to maintain the whole system and this includes inspections and replacements. NSTAR is willing to remove trees. Trees are the biggest threat to overhead systems. New wires are stronger, and a tree failure can bring down limbs and poles. Issues include wind and lightening strikes. A wooded rural town has more issues. Mr. Taylor asked about the process going forward. The majority of trees can be taken down; the set aside list needs further review. John Ventura of NSTAR spoke about situations in the summer noting that addressStreetConant Road was compromised and dangerous wires were down in the street. All agreed it was imperative to develop a relationship between the Town and
NSTAR regarding vegetation management. Mr. Bassett commented that besides the removal of trees, the heavy pruning program described above is devastating to the trees. He suggested that he would go back to look at the “landmark” trees, and if a few of the 15 set aside need to be reviewed another year, then everyone can look at the reliability of the system one year from now. Mr. Bassett also noted trees on wires on addressStreetTower Road. Mr. Hayes said they can handle emergent situations and address some trees that are not on the current list. Neighbors asked how and what companies remove the trees. Mr. Hayes said it depends on the community. Mr. Mahoney claimed that the two oak trees at the end of his drive are more important than wires. He asked if NSTAR could improve the circuit performance and hardware on addressStreetConant Road, and do this before they cut down 23 trees on addressStreetConant Road. Mr.
Hayes said there is a “sleeve” on the wire and the wires are touching the trees. Dr. Dessain said they have 15 burned limbs, and the Town should focus on saving trees elsewhere. He said he has been here for 12 years, and there is constant interruption of the service. This is wasteful of resources, he added, and the Town deserves affordable delivery. Mr. Hayes said that in the future he hopes to manage the trees and train them away from the wires. Julie Jewett asked how the public can learn the time line for tree removal as well as removal of the 15 set aside trees, so that those can be photographically recorded for the future. Mrs. Eckhardt asked about NSTAR’s legal authority to remove trees. Mr. Hayes said that as an investor owned utility, they have to uphold safety and reliability standards, and have the legal right to keep the wires out of the trees. Mr. Taylor noted that the Planning Board made a recommendation to
remove the 45 trees not in dispute. The hearing was closed at timeMinute40Hour88:40
Open Forum – No one spoke at this forum.
Discussion
The Board discussed the recent Planning Board hearing regarding the Mall and the Deaconess proposals. They still need to finalize issues and understand the timetable going forward. Mrs. Holden said she spent an afternoon reviewing the various facilities in preparation for the State of the Town. The meeting will alert people to the possible future expenses, but also noted that bonds are being retired. She added that besides taking care of the placePlaceNameLincoln PlaceTypeSchools, Town facilities, and Library, they must also include taking care of fields and water. The Water Dept. should also prepare an infrastructure plan. They should also include upkeep for the landfill and roads. Mr. Taylor noted that the recent facilities study assumes the current programmatic uses. The
Board also briefly touched on transportation and Hanscom Housing. Mr. Taylor noted that the commuter parking lot may not be used efficiently, and the Town should re-think the strategy and management.
Town Administrator’s Report- The Town Administrator was absent
Action Items
Summarize Actions – Mrs. Parkhurst summarized the action items.
Minutes were deferred
Warrants were approved and signed.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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