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Northampton, Smith College explore 15–18 setback plantings; college grounds may plant some trees
Summary
City staff met with Smith College arborist and grounds staff to identify setback planting locations; preliminary plans propose roughly 15–18 trees across college‑managed and public right‑of‑way sites with possible fall planting and collaboration with the college grounds crew.
Northampton forestry staff and Smith College representatives have identified multiple setback planting locations on and along the college’s frontage and preliminarily estimated 15–18 new trees could be planted this fall, the commission was told.
Rich Parasolini, Northampton’s tree warden, said he toured candidate sites with Ben Green, Smith College’s arborist, and Lily Caron, Smith’s sustainability coordinator. Parasolini summarized the inventory of potential locations and told the commission: “So maybe 15 15 to 18 trees possibly. Possibly.”
The list discussed at the meeting included several college rental properties and college grounds locations: 36 Bedford Terrace, 6 and 8 Bedford Terrace, a long tree belt on Elm Street across from the Museum of Art (room for multiple trees), 41 Elm Street, and locations near Park House (150 Elm Street). Parasolini said Stoddard Hall’s immediate frontage cannot accommodate a tree because of an underground fire service line at the sidewalk edge.
Parasolini said some trees would be in the public right‑of‑way and others on college‑managed land. He told the commission the college grounds crew is a separate bargaining unit and may prefer to plant and maintain trees on their managed parcels; in that case the city could supply trees and materials while the grounds crew performs the planting. He said Smith staff “were amenable to doing a fall planting if possible.”
Next steps described in the meeting: Smith College staff will develop a species list that fits the college’s arboretum framework and salt‑resistance needs; Northampton staff will follow up with the college rental manager to confirm whether certain frontages are college rental properties; and the commission will coordinate species selection with its nursery inventory.
The commission flagged potential site constraints: proximity to overhead wires on Elm Street, deicing and snow‑loading on steep embankments by Bedford Terrace, and utility lines beneath some sidewalks. Parasolini said the city will avoid planting where trees would be exposed to salt spray or where conflicts with utilities make trees unsustainable.
No formal planting permit or final planting schedule was decided at the meeting. Staff said they will refine the list and species choices over the summer and report back to the commission at its next meeting.
Less critical detail: commissioners discussed volunteer support and student involvement for plantings on campus properties and the possibility that the grounds crew would prefer to perform installations to avoid conflicts over maintenance.
