Medford committee backs creation of Medford Tree Committee, amends appointment rules and removal process

Medford — The Medford City Council Committee of the Whole on July 15 voted to amend and refer a draft ordinance establishing a Medford Tree Committee to the full City Council, adopting changes that clarify membership, stagger initial terms and add a removal-for-cause rule.

Councilor Callaghan, who sponsored the measure, said the committee "will promote a diverse, healthy, and sustainable urban forest that will provide for the health, general welfare and quality of life of Medford citizens and the beauty and quality of the city's environment." She told the committee that staff and members of Trees Medford reviewed the draft and that many duties were revised to reflect work already performed by the Department of Public Works.

Callaghan said the revisions generally change duties from doing the work to reviewing and reporting on the DPW's community forestry management plan and annual tree-planting and removal reports. "I don't feel that it is weakened," she said, adding that the committee's role is to "be available to help" and provide outside oversight and public engagement.

During public comment, resident Tom Lincoln asked about the city tree inventory and statistics on plantings and removals; he said he had not seen recent inventory updates. "I don't think I've ever seen one," Lincoln said, asking whether stump removal and other maintenance are reflected in the inventory. Sarah Gerald urged flexibility so student members who move for college are not automatically removed. Jeremy Martin of Burgett Avenue asked whether softening some language left the committee with enough "teeth" to hold the city accountable for its urban canopy.

To address those and other concerns, Callaghan proposed specific amendments: make the committee consist of between five and ten Medford residents; include, "if possible," two youth members between the ages of 15 and 22 at appointment; allow youth residency exceptions when the youth are enrolled at educational institutions based in Medford; stagger initial appointments so one-third serve three years, one-third two years and one-third one year; and add a removal-for-cause provision allowing removal by a two-thirds vote of the committee, including for unexcused absences that exceed 25% of meetings in a 12-month period.

Councilor Lemming seconded the amendment. The clerk called the roll and the amendment passed on an affirmative roll-call vote. The committee then voted to approve the amended ordinance draft and refer it to the Medford City Council's regular meeting.

The ordinance as amended leaves several operational tasks with DPW staff — such as maintaining the tree inventory and implementing the community forestry management plan — while creating a resident advisory body intended to review progress, request reports, and support outreach and education. The committee's final action was a unanimous recorded vote to send the amended ordinance to the full City Council for consideration. The committee adjourned and reconvened at 7 p.m. for the regular meeting.