Danvers Select Board accepts park and rail‑trail donations and a leased vehicle for school resource officer

The Town of Danvers Select Board on Dec. 2 accepted three community gifts that officials said will support park maintenance and school safety.

Chris Sanborn, the town's director of natural resources, requested the board accept a $2,500 donation from the Friends of Danvers Rail Trail to purchase and install four to five trees along the west side of the trail between mile markers 1.9 and 2, and a $20,000 contribution from the Friends of Endicott Park to fund replacement of a back carriageway door at the Endicott Park visitor center. Sanborn said the groups are longtime volunteers who "do remarkable work for the community and improve our natural resource areas in town." Paul McNulty, president of the Friends of Danvers Rail Trail, was acknowledged for his leadership though he could not attend the meeting.

The board also accepted a leased vehicle from Ira Toyota for a three‑year period that will be assigned to the school resource officer; the dealer will cover the lease and the town will pay registration and insurance. Chief Lovell described the vehicle as assigned to the school resource officer and said a design wrap will be applied.

Each gift was moved and accepted individually; the board approved letters of thanks to the donors. The board did not attach additional conditions to the donations. The chair said the town appreciates volunteer work and philanthropic support that reduces costs to taxpayers.

The gifts will be administered in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44, section 53A, which governs municipal acceptance of gifts.