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Fairhaven Shade Tree Commission aims for monthly plantings, eyes $10,000 State Tree Trust funds
Summary
Commission members outlined a plan to prioritize getting trees in the ground in 2026, proposed a modest goal of about 12 public plantings across the year, and agreed to compile candidate sites for review with DPW; the discussion covered funding rules, right‑of‑way issues and replacement of hazard trees.
Commissioners at the Jan. 7 Shade Tree Commission meeting said prioritizing new plantings should be a top goal for 2026 and recommended collecting candidate sites for review with public works.
“I think we really haven't put an emphasis on actually getting trees in the ground, which is something that should be our priority in 2026,” the vice chair said as members discussed setting a modest, achievable target for public plantings.
Commission staff noted the commission has roughly $10,000 in a State Tree Trust fund that can be spent on public plantings, and clarified that municipal (tax) funds are restricted to public property. Members proposed a practical goal of about 12 new public plantings over the next year — roughly one per month — while acknowledging that the final count depends on site suitability, permitting and resident cooperation.
The commission agreed to collect location suggestions from members and residents and asked staff to coordinate a windshield survey and check right‑of‑way widths with the tax map and DPW. Members also discussed using funds to replace trees removed as hazard trees and requested that DPW/permit staff include clearer notes in permit records about the specific reason a tree was removed (infectious disease, insect infestation, dead/dying, obstructing visibility, structural risk, or other safety threat).
Peter Degatti summarized a past cherry‑tree giveaway program along Fairhaven Road and offered to restart canvassing and flyers for submissions if the commission wants to run a similar giveaway this spring. The commission did not take a binding vote on the planting target at the meeting but set tasks to compile candidate sites for the February agenda.
Next steps: commissioners will send suggested addresses and candidate sites to staff for mapping; staff will consult DPW on right‑of‑way constraints and return recommendations at the next meeting.
