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Woodstock Village Conservancy seeks board permission to study tree-planting and small downtown projects
Summary
A newly formed Woodstock Village Conservancy asked the Select Board for permission to work with DPW, fundraise and hold public feedback sessions for a Branch Out Woodstock tree-planting initiative and a set of mini-projects (each under $50,000) to enhance village public spaces.
A volunteer-led nonprofit called the Woodstock Village Conservancy presented a concept plan and asked the Select Board for permission to work with the Department of Public Works and begin public feedback and fundraising for a set of small village projects.
The conservancy representative said the group is a project of the Woodstock Community Trust (a 501(c)(3)) and is aiming to undertake place-making, accessibility, maintenance and incremental capital work at minimal or no additional cost to the town. Among priorities outlined was "Branch Out Woodstock," an initiative to identify four downtown locations where trees once stood and to replace or reinstate canopy in the village corridor.
The conservancy emphasized that funds raised by donors would be given to the town or to the Community Trust for distribution, and said the Select Board would need to approve any work on town-owned land. "The select board has to approve anything that happens on public land," the presenter said, and described the group's model as providing fundraising and implementation support while leaving contracting and jurisdiction with the town.
Board members generally expressed support for proceeding with a public feedback session; one resident asked whether funds raised by a private 501(c)(3) would be held by the town, and the conservancy confirmed donations would be channeled to the Woodstock Community Trust and then handed to the town when projects are approved.
