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Bensenville designates May 19 as Arbor Day, honors long-serving public works employee
Summary
The Bensenville Village Board adopted an Arbor Day proclamation and staff highlighted the Forestry Division's work, including plans to plant a memorial tree for longtime Public Works employee Mike Baranek.
The Bensenville Village Board on April 28 adopted a proclamation declaring May 19, 2026 as Arbor Day and urged residents to support tree planting and preservation.
Joe Caracci, a village staff member who spoke during discussion of the proclamation, outlined the village forestry program and memorial plans. "This year, we're gonna be doing a ceremony on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00, at the Public Works facility," he said, and announced that "a spring flurry service berry tree will be planted in his honor" for Mike Baranek, who served 16 years in Public Works. Caracci also said the village maintains an urban forest of about 7,350 trees, established a forestry management plan in 2012, removed roughly 1,200 ash trees during the Emerald Ash Borer response and has planted about 2,500 replacement trees.
The board approved the proclamation by roll call. The ceremony on May 19 will be held at the Public Works facility and will include staff recognition and the memorial planting.
