Northampton commission approves minutes, adjusts JFK Arbor Day plantings and readies spring logistics

The Northampton Urban Forestry Commission voted to approve the March minutes as amended and spent the remainder of its March 19 meeting finalizing plans for Arbor Day plantings, tree-whip deliveries and volunteer staging.

Chair Rich Parceliti called for a motion to approve minutes; the commission then approved the minutes as amended by roll-call vote. The record shows the following roll-call responses recorded during the meeting: Rich Parceliti — yes; Susan — yes; Molly — yes; Jen — yes; David — yes; Richard — yes. The motion passed.

Commission business that followed centered on Arbor Day and the spring planting schedule. Commissioners confirmed that a delivery of “tree whips” (bare-root seedlings) is expected the week of April 8–9 and that seedling containers, biochar and a compost delivery are scheduled for the same period. The commission’s planting for John F. Kennedy School (JFK) was discussed: three tree locations at the rear of the school near the tennis and basketball courts cannot be planted as planned because the courts are being resurfaced. Chair Parceliti and staff said they will remove the stakes at those locations and identify alternate sites, which could include spaces near the school parking lot or other nearby landscape spots, or planting on another day.

DigSafe utility locates for the scheduled plantings are being processed and will include the altered stake list. The commission also agreed to stage supplies from neighborhood volunteer hosts and coordinate pickup and staging with volunteers; commission members volunteered to assist on planting days and to help with logistics such as tables, coloring books and supplies for staging.

Commissioners discussed partnering with local youth organizations and high-school clubs for planting days. Members noted prior success with high-school volunteers and emphasized that a predictable schedule and paid opportunities work better for sustained youth participation. The commission plans to reach out to local Key Club and environmental-club contacts and to share planting dates with school partners as dates firm up.

Other logistics discussed included a Rotary Club press release, procurement of additional green buckets and biochar containers, and the possible use of Spring Grove Cemetery or other alternate sites for trees displaced from the JFK planting area. Commissioners also discussed staging and trailer logistics with volunteers and offered to follow up offline to finalize exact planting locations and DigSafe schedules.

At the meeting’s close a motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the chair called the question and the meeting was adjourned by voice vote.