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Planning Board approves $5,500 pilot street-tree study and names liaison for longer plan
Summary
The Planning Board approved a $5,500 pilot to inventory 10–15 low-canopy streets and identify roughly 25 planting sites. The board agreed that member Debbie will serve as the Planning Board liaison to the larger, townwide tree plan work.
The Southborough Planning Board voted unanimously on June 22 to fund a $5,500 pilot street-tree planting assessment, a first step toward a broader urban-forest plan.
Staff described the pilot as a review of 10–15 streets to identify roughly 25 viable planting locations, with species-specific recommendations so the town can accept donated trees to predesignated sites. "This is a first step in putting together what's known as an urban-forest management plan," member Debbie said, endorsing the proposal and asking that she serve as the board's liaison for longer-range planning.
Planning staff said if the pilot identifies preferred streets the tree warden and staff will meet with the board before planting; the larger plan would address funding sources and whether scenic-road priority is appropriate. The board approved the $5,500 contract for the Davey Tree proposal by roll call; members also expressed support for moving toward a town-wide inventory and GIS tree layer.
The vote permits staff to begin the pilot assessment; board members said they expect the pilot results to inform future warrant articles or DPW budgeting for larger-scale plantings.
