Commission approves 3-gallon heritage trees for Founders' Day giveaway

The Mansfield Landmark Commission approved purchasing larger three-gallon trees to distribute at Founders' Day as part of a new heritage-tree promotion and asked staff to coordinate with the historical society on additional donations.

Staff presented two purchasing options: roughly 100 smaller trees priced around "$483" (total, as presented) or 60 three-gallon trees at a higher per-unit outlay but with higher survivability. "So on the first proposal, he's looking at a 100 trees of a different different sizes...because they're smaller, they can be purchased for around $483. Now if we go with bigger trees...you can get 60 for 705, and those are 3 gallon trees," Art said in the presentation.

Commissioners discussed survivability and previous giveaway turnout. A historical-society representative indicated the society could seek to provide 50 three-gallon trees, which would raise the total to about 110 trees if combined with the commission's purchase. The chair moved to approve buying the larger 3-gallon trees for Founders' Day and to direct staff to work with Thomas Leach and the historical society to pursue an additional 50 trees; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff also noted timing and budget constraints: the special-event funds proposed to be used would expire on September 30, so ordering and attaching the purchase to the current budget year was presented as an option to ensure availability for the October event.

Next steps: staff will place an order for the approved 60 three-gallon trees from the special-event fund and follow up with the historical society to confirm whether it can contribute an additional 50 trees; distribution will occur at Founders' Day (first Saturday in October).