Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Trees And Greening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charles Town tree board OKs $25 in-town delivery fee for community tree sale and approves $2,000 chestnut grant application
Summary
At its Jan. 16 meeting the Charles Town Tree Board approved a $25 in‑town delivery fee (per drop-off) for its BMP community tree sale and authorized applying for up to $2,000 from the American Chestnut Foundation to obtain saplings and outreach funding; members also agreed on planting sites and volunteer coordination.
The Charles Town Tree Board on Jan. 16 approved a $25 in‑town delivery fee for the city’s BMP (best‑management practice) discounted tree sale and authorized submitting an application for up to $2,000 from the West Virginia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to buy hybrid chestnut saplings and fund outreach and maintenance.
Chair Chelsea called the meeting to order and led discussions that ranged from updating the canopy inventory to invasive‑species clearing at Willingham Knowles. On the tree‑sale topic, Chelsea proposed charging a delivery fee "maybe $25 for delivery in town," clarifying the board intended the fee per drop‑off point rather than per tree. Scott moved to approve the concept and Janie seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board also voted to submit a grant application to the American Chestnut Foundation for up to $2,000 to support chestnut sapling acquisition, signage and related outreach. Chelsea described the award as "up to $2,000, and there's no matching or other things," and said the funds could cover saplings, promotional materials and maintenance. Board members discussed planting the saplings in wooded areas such as Happy Retreat and in infill sites at Willingham Knowles; they cautioned that the available chestnut stock will be hybrid backcross seedlings likely to show some cankers but that the hybrids are intended to survive blight.
Other business included coordinating with parks staff on a canopy inventory review, finishing a pollinator garden at the skate park and following up on a 2023 demonstration grant administered by the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Carlo reported he has reached out to the USDA Natural Resources office in Ransom about technical assistance and possible funding for invasive‑species treatment.
Votes at a glance - Approve Dec. 7 minutes — motion moved by Scott; seconded and approved by voice. (Recorded vocal "aye" responses are on the record.) - Approve concept of $25 in‑town delivery fee for BMP tree sale (fee per delivery/drop‑off) — mover: Scott; seconder: Janie; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approve application to the West Virginia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (up to $2,000) — mover: Scott; seconder: Carlo; outcome: approved by voice vote.
Next steps Board members will coordinate dates with city staff for inventory work and planting, follow up with John (city staff) on grant‑reimbursement documentation for the Division of Forestry grant, and plan spring plantings around Arbor Day and the Bloom & Blossoms event. The tree board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
(Quotes and attributions are drawn from the meeting transcript; vote outcomes are recorded as voice votes in the meeting record.)
