Tree Centennial Pilot Project

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and figures may be misheard.

What: A 300th anniversary pilot to plant native trees in Dean Park and the playing fields, sponsored by Tipping Point 01545, funded by the Community Preservation fund.
Cost: $107,960 requested from Community Preservation funds (project total $113,960 with $6,000 in donations), including a $10,000 contingency.
Where it stands: Public hearing held and funding application approved October 5, 2026. The warrant article recommendation is expected before the May 2027 Annual Town Meeting, since the December meeting cannot take financial articles.

2026-10-05 - Community Preservation Committee - Public hearing with two speakers in support; application approved with one member recused. A second public hearing was suggested before the May recommendation.
2026-09-15 - Conservation Commission — voted a letter of support for the Community Preservation request, with a pilot of about 50 trees at Dean Park and the Maple Avenue fields.
2026-09-14 - Community Preservation Committee - Project funding application presented: about 50 native trees at Dean Park and the Maple Avenue recreation area at roughly $1,600 per tree, $97,760 total (application said $98,760). Members asked for a contingency of about 10 percent and wider outreach on placement; public hearing set for October 5.
2026-11-08 - Special Town Meeting: the signed warrant includes Article 6, a Community Preservation appropriation for tree planting at Dean Park and the Maple Ave Recreation Area (amount not stated); 2026-11-02 - Community Preservation Committee voted to recommend the draft article.