ATHOL — While many people in town may not realize it, an official municipal board exists for the sole purpose of increasing the number of shade trees throughout the town. Shade Tree Commission member Laurie Parker said the board has been existence for quite some time.
“We’ve been doing this for a number of years,” Parker told the Athol Daily News. “I think my parents have been on the committee for, I would say, at least 15 years.
“Our committee gets together throughout the year to basically talk about what we’re going to do for fundraising and things like that. Then our ultimate responsibility is, in May, to purchase the trees from a local nursery and get them out to the people who qualify under our guidelines, who have applied for shade trees.”
Parker said the commission distributes on average around 30 trees to Athol residents, and now is the time for people interested in securing a tree to submit their application to the panel.
According to a release from the commission, the average height of the trees to be distributed is between six and seven feet. Trees that have proven popular in previous years include blossoming cherry, apple, maple, flowering crab, “and other solid choices that add color and curbside appeal to any front or side yard. The trees will be purchased from Noel’s Nursery in Orange and delivered by commission members.
“We bring the bring the trees out to the properties,” said Parker, “and, in some cases, I’ve planted some trees for some elderly people, but for the most part the landowner is responsible for digging the hole and putting the tree in and taking care of it from then on.”
Applicants need to inform the commission of where they intend to plant the tree and what type they would like to have. Applications are limited to one tree per property. The commission reserves the right to deny any application.
All proposed sites will be visited by commission members prior to the acceptance of applications.
Applications are available on the town’s website, athol-ma.gov/shade-tree-commission, and may also be picked up at the Athol Senior Center, Athol Library, Noel’s Nursery, and other local businesses. Commission members can be contacted via the panel’s Facebook page.
According to Parker, the commission receives about $2,000 a year from the town, but other expenses must be covered by fundraising.
“Usually, we do some fundraising at the River Rat Race — at the parade and near the start of the race itself,” she said. “We sell raffle tickets. The night before the race we do raffles on chances from local businesspeople.”
Last year, however, fundraising was out of the question since the pandemic forced the cancellation of the race.
“We actually had money left in our ‘slush fund’ from the previous year that we were able to use. We weren’t able to do any significant fundraising this year, either.”
Last year, according to the Town Accountant’s Office, the commission spent just under $215 on the trees and Parker said a similar amount will likely be expended this year.
In addition to Parker, the town’s website lists commission members as: Anthony Brighenti; Paula Robinson, Chair; Margaret Feldman; Sharon Brighenti; Travis Knechtel; Jared Robinson; and Robert Mallet. David Small is an associate member.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com