Commission readies Conservation Day, tree pickups and site visits; declines sneaker fundraiser at event

WOBURN — At its April 25 meeting the Woburn Conservation Commission set plans and volunteer expectations for an upcoming Conservation Day, confirmed tree-removal permission at a private site and discussed whether to host a sneaker-collection fundraiser during the event.

Commissioners said Commissioner Malone (who was not present) asked members to be on site at 8 a.m. to help set up; volunteers who ordered trees were told to arrive around 9 a.m. and the pickup window was discussed with a 10:30 a.m. pick-up time noted. One commissioner reported that 40 trees had been ordered and that the sale was effectively sold out.

A requester proposed partnering with the commission on Conservation Day to collect gently used sneakers and redistribute them to nonprofits rather than send them to landfills. Commissioners expressed concern that Conservation Day should remain focused on cleanup and conservation activities; the commission declined to host the sneaker collection during that event and suggested alternative venues or separate arrangements for the fundraiser.

The commission also reviewed a site visit at 9 Pinto Road. Staff and members authorized removal of problem trees on that property and decided to replace deteriorated post-and-rail delineation with a post-and-sign approach rather than full rail replacement; they also asked the property owner to arrange cleanup of yard waste identified on site.

Commissioners scheduled a post-event site visit (after the tree program) to review additional locations, including follow-up at 22 Grama, and asked staff to coordinate with property owners on timing.

What happens next: Commissioners will meet again on May 9 for the continued Miller hearing; conservation volunteers will meet on the scheduled Conservation Day to carry out tree pickup and site cleanup.