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Select Board accepts donated screening trees for 16 Mills Road property
Summary
The Select Board voted to accept a private donation to plant cedars and maples on town‑owned land adjoining 16 Mills Road to screen a new housing development; the donor will cover planting costs and coordinate timing with contractors so there is no cost to the town.
The Newcastle Select Board on Monday accepted a donation to plant a mix of cedars and maples along a town‑owned strip adjacent to a new housing site at 16 Mills Road.
Rob, a developer associated with 16 Mills Road Newcastle LLC, explained that the project’s landscaping budget originally planned screening along the site’s outer edge but that the town now owns a strip of land that made planting there impractical. He said donating the trees and the cost of planting is more efficient than having a contractor mobilize separately. "Bottom line, that’s what the proposal is… as I nail down what the cost would be, that would be the donation — so there’s no cost to the town," Rob said.
Board action: A member moved to accept the donation and another seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion passed. The transcript records the second as Ben; the transcript’s recorded mover name is unclear. The board’s approval included no town expenditure for the planting, and the donor indicated the proposal would include first‑year care and access to spigots at the building for watering.
Site and maintenance notes: The donor proposed a mix of narrower cedars for low screening and some maples for higher screening, sited to align with an existing utility pole. He and staff discussed future access needs, root protection if a driveway is later installed and the donor’s plan to coordinate timing with his contractor to avoid separate mobilization costs.
What’s next: The town accepted the donation and staff will handle any contracting and scheduling details; the donor expects front porches and occupancy activity to continue in the coming weeks.
