Arlington Tree Committee - Report to Town Meeting
Submitted May 4, 2005
The Arlington Tree Committee was formed by 2003 Town Meeting and charged with investigating "the advisability of enacting a Town bylaw that would provide for a program to preserve and protect shade trees on public and private property within the town."
On opening night of last year's TM, we distributed a survey asking about attitudes toward public and private trees and what, if anything, a tree protection bylaw might regulate. Eighty-seven TMMs completed the survey and 10 commented that a tree bylaw is not needed. Given this limited response, and how little is known about the wishes of other Arlington residents, we decided that proposing a bylaw would be premature.
Since then, the Tree Committee has focused on creating an educational tree web site and collaborating with town officials to improve Arlington’s community forest.
Tree Committee web site, www.arlingtontrees.org, is up and running:
The site features topics that TMMs said would be helpful, such as news about Department of Public Works activities and illustrated information about selecting, planting and maintaining trees. A bonus "Tree Gallery" has photographs and stories contributed by Sally Rogers, John Pickle, and Tree Committee members Clarissa Rowe and Walter Phillips. Visitors can also weigh in on the advisability of a tree protection bylaw, via an easy-to-use online survey. The site owes its attractive design and user-friendly operation to webmaster Daniel Foskett, who donates his time. Between mid-February and April 30, 722 people had visited the site and viewed 2,887 pages.
Arlington is a Tree City:
With support from the Tree Committee, the town applied for and received Tree City USA certification. As a result, we are eligible for a broader range of state grants for education as well as planting and maintenance of public trees.
Street tree planting surpasses removal in 2005:
In February, DPW announced remediation funds from the Reservoir Dam project could be used for a pilot "adopt-a-tree" program, enabling residents to obtain new street trees by paying half their actual cost. Because 23 residents purchased trees, Arlington will gain street trees for the first time in recent years. Budget constraints make it uncertain whether this program will be available next year.
What's next for the Tree Committee?
The committee would like to maintain the new web site and continue investigating whether Arlington needs a tree protection bylaw.
The committee is also concerned that cuts to the DPW budget will curtail maintenance and planting of street trees and those on other public properties, harming the overall wellbeing of the community forest.
The committee also needs to recruit a new member, as Pat Thomas is leaving Arlington and stepping down as chairman.
Submitted by: Walter Phillips, Clarissa Rowe, Ed Trembly, Jim Dodge, and Patricia Thomas