Northampton Urban Forestry Commission reviews inventory options, approves minutes and sets planting plans for spring
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Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the commission accepted Dec. 17 minutes, discussed quotes for a new smart-tree inventory, advanced a volunteer-led maintenance program, and began scheduling spring plantings (including a possible JFK Elementary project and Arbor Day outreach).
The Northampton Urban Forestry Commission on Feb. 4 accepted its Dec. 17 minutes, discussed options for a new tree inventory, and began firming up plans for spring plantings and a volunteer maintenance program.
Chair (name not stated) opened the virtual meeting, noted there were no public commenters present and invited a motion to accept the minutes. Commissioner Jen Warner moved to accept the minutes “as presented.” The chair then conducted a required roll call; commissioners (Rich; Susan Loftos; Jen Warner; David Lukens; Richard Parish; Kenneth Johnson) answered present. The motion passed.
In a report to the commission the chair described attendance at a recent Master Arborist and Foresters conference attended by one commissioner and about 475 participants; Dave Salino, chief forester for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), spoke about the 2024 forest fires.
The commission discussed tree-inventory options after the chair said she received quotes from Mariah Day (David Soarscribe group) for traditional, smart (3-D) and hybrid inventories. The chair explained a smart-tree inventory captures three-dimensional measurements (height and crown spread), species and imagery that can flag visible trunk defects, but noted that dense neighborhoods (Wards 6 and 7) present collection challenges. The commission said the existing 2016 inventory is outdated and directed the chair to follow up with the vendor and return with more detail at the next meeting.
Commissioner Rich updated commissioners on pruning and maintenance: crews addressed over 400 trees this season before a recent snow event. Rich also proposed a volunteer-led maintenance program to manage young trees (roughly one- to three-year age class), reporting about 13 volunteers had expressed interest from a ~45-person outreach list. The commission discussed logistics (zoning the city using Kent’s map, staging mulch drop-off locations such as Spring Grove Cemetery or the Locust Street transfer station), volunteer checklists (weed removal, removing tree “diapers,” pruning limits) and simple data-tracking (number of trees and approximate hours per tree).
On spring plantings, David Lukens reported about 22 potential tree locations at JFK Elementary. Commissioners discussed holding a planting weekend around April 18–19 to avoid school vacation and frost risk (Arbor Day is April 24). They also discussed bagging trees with science classes the week before planting and coordinating with the Rotary Club and school staff. Commissioners identified a number of cemetery and site-replacement trees that may require stump grinding and soil decompaction before replanting.
A motion to adjourn passed with no nays or abstentions. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 18; agendas must be submitted to the city clerk by April 13.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Accept minutes as presented. Mover: Jen Warner. Roll call recorded “yes” from commissioners present (Rich; Susan Loftos; Jen Warner; David Lukens; Richard Parish; Kenneth Johnson). Outcome: approved. - Motion: Adjourn meeting. Mover: (commissioner). Second: (commissioner). Outcome: approved (voice/hand vote; no nays or abstentions).
