Avon Tree Commission approves pursuing children's books for Arbor Day, confirms logistics for giveaways

Chair Richard Varga led the commission's Arbor Day 2026 planning review and said "opening ceremony arrangements were largely in place." Commissioners discussed giveaways, scavenger-hunt prizes and food logistics ahead of the event.

A motion by Commission member Matt Smith, seconded by Mary Berges, to look into purchasing children's educational books from the International Society of Arboriculture passed unanimously (6–0). Commissioners noted the books are priced at about $13–$15 each and discussed donating sets to each elementary school and to the Avon Public Library, with additional copies used as raffle prizes. Budget constraints were cited as a reason not to give a book to every child individually.

Student member Collin O'Donnell said he would review last year's scavenger-hunt materials to inform planning and noted prize supplies are low. Commissioners confirmed operational choices from prior years — pizza for food service to avoid Health Department complications — and inventory counts that reduce needed purchases: 280 three-ounce cups; three boxes of napkins (840 total); 210 paper plates; and roughly 200 tattoos remaining.

The commission did not set final tree varieties for the giveaway during the discussion; John Traxler said he would need the list of varieties to prepare sign-up sheets. Follow-up tasks assigned included reviewing available funds for the book purchase and confirming prize sourcing for the scavenger hunt.