Article 14 Moore Presentation¶
Article 14
Amendment to Title II of the Town
Bylaws
The Arlington Tree Committee
April 27, 2026
Steven Moore, Precinct 18
Arlington Tree Committee (ATC)
A Brief History
Ø The Arlington Tree Committee (ATC) first created
via Town Meeting (TM) Warrant Article in 2003
Ø Article #29 – “Establish Tree Committee.”
Ø “The Committee will report to the 2004 Annual Town
Meeting on the advisability of enacting a Town bylaw
that would provide for a program to preserve and
protect shade trees on public and private property
within the town.”
Ø Of the five appointed members in 2004, one is still
on the ATC in 2025.
Ø Have found no mention of any Report made to the
2004 TM.
Arlington Tree Committee (ATC)
A Brief History (cont.)
Ø The ATC re-created via Board of Selectmen (BoS)
decision in 2010
Ø BoS meeting of June 21, 2010.
Ø “The committee will work on replacing lost trees (31
trees lost on June 6th during the storm) and planting
new trees as well as advising on all tree related
matters. They also will be working closely with the
Town Tree Warden, James Dodge.”
Ø Of the ten appointed members in 2010, three are
still on the ATC in 2025.
Arlington Tree Committee (ATC)
A Brief History (cont.)
Ø Since 2010, the ATC has had major accomplishments
Ø Developed and proposed to TM in 2016 an Arlington Tree
Protection and Preservation Bylaw; now included as
Article 16, within Title V, and has been amended/updated
three times since 2016.
Ø Supported the development of the 2017 Town-wide Public
Street Tree Inventory.
Ø Developed and established the Community Tree Canopy
Program.
Ø Developed and established the Adopt-a-Tree Program.
Arlington Tree Committee (ATC)
A Brief History (cont.)
Ø Since 2010, the ATC has had major
accomplishments (cont.)
Ø Developing the Back-of-Sidewalk Tree Program.
Ø Supported and developed public awareness,
education, outreach, and resources (including a
website) to help retain, maintain, and grow the
Arlington tree canopy.
Ø Represented and advocated for trees in many public
forums, and in Town governance.
Article 14
Purpose
Ø Formalize the structure and organization of the
ATC.
Ø Recognize the long-term perspective and focus of
the Committee’s activities.
Ø Reflect the proven commitment of the ATC to the
future maintenance and growth of the Town’s tree
infrastructure.
Ø Motion details provided in the Select Board’s
“Report to 2026 Annual Town Meeting,” dated April
27, 2026.
Article 14
Goal
Ø Resounding approval of the Town Meeting!
Ø Reminder to our engaged Arlington legislators of
our successful ongoing and developing tree canopy
–focused Programs.
Ø Continue to be a recognized, go-to resource on
Town tree issues.
Thanks for your time!
