The Narberth Shade Tree Commission on Monday finalized logistics for its fall 2025 tree-planting effort, approving funds to buy additional trees and authorizing a small breakfast budget for volunteers.

Commission member (Speaker 1) told colleagues the program stood at roughly 31 trees committed and outlined remaining gaps in species and pot sizes. "So at the moment, we're at 31 trees," Speaker 1 said, and later added the commission was short several large specimens that would require heavy lifting.

Why it matters: With several #15 container trees and a handful of unassigned "orphan" trees, commissioners said they needed additional nursery stock and a clear volunteer plan to place larger specimens. Proper logistics matter because heavy containers require more volunteers, carts or truck access and because leftover trees may need winter holding.

What the commission decided: Speaker 1 moved to authorize a purchase from Tree Authority to add up to 16 trees, not to exceed $2,000. "I'm gonna make a motion that we include an expense to tree authority purchase another 16 trees not to exceed $2,000," Speaker 1 said. Speaker 3 seconded the motion; members then voted in favor.

The commission also approved up to $100 for breakfast on planting day to feed volunteers. The body set volunteer staging times (volunteers asked to arrive about 8:30–8:45 a.m.; work to start at 9 a.m.) and confirmed distributor pickup logistics for Thursday, Nov. 13.

Logistics and volunteers: Members reviewed species counts and pot sizes—redbuds, dogwoods, magnolias, elms and pines featured in inventory lists—and agreed to assign larger trees to volunteers who can handle heavier loads or to provide carts. Commissioner discussion included routing for delivery and an agreed plan to have one team pick up trees on Wednesday for a Thursday distribution.

Unassigned trees and next steps: The commission identified 6–9 unassigned specimens (examples listed in the meeting as hackberry, Kentucky coffee tree, yellowwood, sweet linden and black gum) and asked members to seek backyard or park placements. Staff member Jeff (Speaker 4) said engineers would provide updated downtown maps ahead of the next meeting to aid site selection.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to accept October minutes: moved by Speaker 3, seconded by Speaker 1; recorded vote 4-0 in favor.
- Motion to authorize up to $2,000 to purchase up to 16 trees from Tree Authority: moved by Speaker 1, seconded by Speaker 3; passed (ayes recorded).
- Motion to authorize up to $100 for planting-day breakfast: moved by Speaker 1; passed (ayes recorded).

What’s next: Members will finalize the exact tree list by the following Monday to allow a Wednesday pickup and Thursday distribution, continue volunteer outreach to reach a usual turnout (10–11 teams), and return the downtown map and planting-site updates at the next meeting. The commission scheduled its December meeting for Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 a.m.

Quotation highlights from the record include Speaker 3’s procedural motion, "I'm moving to accept the minutes as they are," and Speaker 1’s procurement motion, quoted above. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.