GREENFIELD — Town Council has passed a tree ordinance aimed at making Greenfield a little bit greener.
The ordinance, which was passed by a unanimous vote this week, will enable the town to improve its tree canopy by giving the Department of Public Works the right to plant trees in the strip of grass between the street and sidewalk — often referred to as a tree belt. The ordinance outlines a tree replacement policy and allows residents to request or plant trees in front of their homes.
Additionally, DPW Director Don Ouellette said 74 new trees will be planted throughout town this year.
Greenfield Tree Committee member Nancy Hazard said about 15 years ago, a rule was passed barring the DPW from planting trees in the town’s tree belts.
“The thing that’s really exciting about it and significant is that the DPW and citizens can now plant in what is called the tree belt,” she said. “If you’re a resident and you want a tree planted in your tree belt, you can ask the DPW to get on a list and ask to have the town plant a tree.”
The ordinance also includes reference to a tree-planting guide that will be used by the DPW and is available to residents, as well as a list of preferred trees. Hazard said the list includes species that are pest and disease-resistant and recognizes the value of native species that support the ecosystem.
“Everyone worked well to make sure that this is not only an ordinance which meets the goals of those people who envisioned a greater amount of trees in this community, but was also practicable, that it could work, that it wasn’t pie in the sky,” Council Vice President Isaac Mass said during the council meeting.
There was some discussion among councilors about language in the ordinance pertaining to trees interfering with illuminated signs. The ordinance states that trees will not adversely affect freestanding illuminated signs, but some felt that trees should not interfere with any illuminated signs.
Mass made an amendment to strike that language from the ordinance to allow business owners to decide whether the DPW could plant trees that block illuminated signs on their buildings. The amendment did not pass.
“The reason why we wanted this to be written like this is so people on Main Street could not say because they have a business sign, they don’t want a tree to be planted,” Council Treasurer Karen “Rudy” Renaud said. “We need trees on Main Street, it makes it beautiful.”
During a tree hearing Thursday night, Ouellette said the DPW is planning to remove 26 trees this year that pose immediate safety threats. However, he added the town’s goal is to plant 50 trees per year over the next 10 years, and expects a total 74 to go in this year.
Seventeen have already been planted — most of them in the Green River Cemetery to stabilize the ground — and 27 more are ready for pick-up at nurseries in Amherst and Sunderland and will be planted over the next two weeks.
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments has received a grant to plant 30 trees in low-income neighborhoods, and plans to focus on Hope and Washington streets and Oak Courts.
Hazard added the electricity and gas companies also often donate trees.
You can reach Aviva Luttrell at:
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