A significant portion of the meeting focused on revamping the memorial tree program, which had been inactive for some time. The program will allow participants to purchase a tree and a dedication plaque for a total cost of $750, covering the cost of the tree, the plaque, and maintenance for three years. If the tree dies within this period, it will be replaced at no additional cost. However, a fee of $150 will apply for any replacements needed after the initial three-year term. Participants can suggest tree locations, but the final decision will rest with the district commissioner responsible for the area.

Several members raised concerns regarding the city’s capacity to plant additional trees in certain areas, such as the mall and Kanas Park, which are already densely populated with trees. It was noted that while planting street trees is an option, available spaces are limited. This led to discussions about setting boundaries to prevent overwhelming the city with requests. The commission acknowledged that managing personal attachments to memorial trees could complicate city responsibilities if a tree needs to be relocated or removed.

To address these complexities, the commission proposed creating a memorandum of agreement to clearly outline the responsibilities of both the city and participants. This agreement aims to prevent indefinite commitments from burdening the city, drawing lessons from past experiences with the memorial bench program. A suggestion was made to consult the city manager to ensure the program’s expectations remain realistic.

While the memorial tree program took center stage, the management and eradication of the invasive Tree of Heaven species emerged as another topic. It was proposed to first assess the extent of the problem by identifying the number of Tree of Heavens in the area. This assessment would inform the development of a program, possibly modeled after the existing 50-50 program, to fund tree removal and management.

The logistics of implementing such an eradication program were also discussed. The need for licensed pesticide suppliers was emphasized, as only a limited number of individuals are authorized to apply pesticides on trees. The commission expressed a preference for engaging a single contractor to handle all tree removals to streamline the process and potentially reduce costs.

In addition to tackling the Tree of Heaven issue, a proposal was made for tree planting on Franklin Street in the spring, with the commission considering a list of recommended species. This initiative aligns with the commission’s philosophy to preserve existing trees while promoting new growth. A member articulated that “the tree wins,” indicating that decisions will favor tree preservation unless there are compelling reasons for removal.

The meeting also addressed procedural concerns regarding timely tree inspections by commission members. It was suggested to establish a mechanism for transferring inspection responsibilities to alternate members if a primary member is unavailable. A member volunteered to serve as a fallback for inspections when required.

Further discussions involved forming a land use and development workgroup to enhance cooperation among various city boards, including the planning board, zoning board, historical preservation commission, shade tree commission, and environmental commission. This group will meet quarterly to address common issues and ensure cohesive land use policies. The collaborative approach has been beneficial in past discussions on topics like the artificial turf ordinance.

Additionally, the meeting touched on logistical details, such as the necessity of ID badges for commission members to reinforce their authority during inspections and public engagements. Members were encouraged to obtain badges for identification purposes.