Commission approves Norway maple removal; Arbor Day plans and 30‑page tree-preservation ordinance to be reviewed

The Kingston Tree Commission voted to approve removal of a medium-sized Norway maple that an urban forester described as in “terminal decline,” and discussed Arbor Day planning and a draft tree-preservation ordinance the mayor plans to send to the common council.

Brent Pepper, the city’s urban forester, presented a permit request for the Norway maple, saying the tree had “fallen branches,” a dying crown and “a lot of missing bark and decay” on the trunk. The commission motion to allow removal was moved by Amanda (commission member) with standard conditions that the applicant obtain required permits, plant a replacement tree and protect the bluestone sidewalk during work. A second was recorded in the meeting and the motion was adopted.

The commission then turned to Arbor Day planning. Amanda reported coordination with schools: Kingston High School’s teacher who normally attends could not make the meeting because of a professional-development assignment, and the school district’s remaining four snow days could affect whether Arbor Day occurs during a school day. Amanda said the district calendar already lists the Monday after Easter (April 21) as a day off and that the district may add any leftover snow days to dates after that; as a result, the commission is tentatively planning to move Arbor Day to Monday, April 28 if the district uses remaining snow days.

The commission discussed possible planting locations at the high school (near an existing orchard pocket) and school projects tied to the event, including an art project and ecology-class activities. Pepper said building-and-grounds staff typically dig prepared holes and handle the heavier equipment, and that students often help with backfill and follow-up planting activities at the high-school level.

Commission members also discussed the distribution of saplings funded by the USDA grant; Pepper said the earlier grant suspension made the spring giveaway uncertain and that those saplings might be shifted to an Earth Day event in May if spring planting windows close.

Near the end of the meeting, Pepper said the mayor plans to forward a 30‑page draft tree-preservation ordinance to the common council and asked the commission to review it by email and return comments; he proposed sharing the draft as a Google Doc so members can annotate it. Pepper said the longer review period is intended to let council members with varying knowledge about trees and street-tree practice ask informed questions before any council vote.

Ending: The commission set a site visit and follow-ups on school coordination and agreed to finalize Arbor Day arrangements at its next meeting.