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Narberth committee presses for higher shade-tree maintenance funding, debates watering policy for newly planted trees
Summary
Committee members described a rising cost environment for trees, discussed a request to raise shade-maintenance budget and debated whether the borough should fund watering for trees not adjacent to homeowners. Members suggested policy changes to require watering pledges on order forms and to reuse equipment such as gator bags.
Committee members reviewed the committee's 2026 budget request and discussed who must water newly planted trees that are not on private lawns.
Jeff reported the committee asked for a modest increase in its shade-maintenance request, citing rising tree costs and historic spending. "I asked Angie to ask for slightly more than we usually request," a member summarized; the committee has previously requested roughly $10,000 and proposed asking for $12,000–$13,000 for the upcoming budget cycle. Members said a draft borough budget shows overall shade-maintenance funding approaching $25,000; committee members said they would manage year-to-year spending and prioritize fall planting if spring totals are light.
Members then turned to tree care after planting. Several members said trees that are on a public right-of-way but not clearly on a homeowner's watering plan are at risk. Jeff and others argued the borough should not use taxpayer funds to water trees on private property and recommended adding a checkbox to the order form to ensure recipients commit to watering. One member noted that volunteer watering and reuse of "gator" bags — and asking volunteers to retrieve and refill bags — can mitigate losses for the small number of trees without a committed homeowner.
"If someone does not pledge to water the tree, they do not get a tree," a member said, framing a proposed eligibility condition for taxpayer-funded trees.
Committee members also discussed practical tactics such as collecting and reusing gator bags, having volunteers carry water when hoses are unavailable, and prioritizing which trees the committee will water directly. No formal policy change was adopted; members directed follow-up on checklist language for the order form and to continue monitoring vulnerable trees.
