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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 14
Warrant Article Title:
BYLAW AMENDMENT / TREE COMMITTEE RULES AND
PROCEDURES
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Title II of the Town Bylaws
to establish formal rules and procedures for the Arlington Tree
Committee, including but not limited to the number of members,
terms of office, and duties and responsibilities; or take any action
related thereto.
Requested By:
the Arlington Tree Committee
Report Excerpt:
Vote and comment to Town Meeting - Favorable Action (5-0)
This Board heard from Steven Moore, Co-Chair of the Arlington
Tree Committee regarding this article. Mr. Moore provided the
Board with a history of the Tree Committee’s creation and work
since 2003. Mr. Moore also explained the purpose of this
proposed bylaw, which is to standardize and formalize the
committee and its membership. Town Counsel reported to the
Board that the proposed bylaw does not change the committee’s
purpose or the limits of its authority. Further, if approved, the
Select Board will remain the Tree Committee’s appointing
authority.
The Board expressed its ongoing support for the work of the Tree
Committee as it remains committed to the task of helping to
protect the town’s tree canopy. The Board made some changes to
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the draft language that ensured consistency with the committee’s
mission and the article proponent agrees that the changes were
appropriate. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously in
support of this article.
Vote Language:
That the Town does and hereby amends Title II of the Town’s
Bylaws, to introduce a new Article 17 so as to read:
ARTICLE 17
ARLINGTON TREE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Membership
The Arlington Tree Committee (ATC) shall consist of nine voting
members, to be appointed by the Select Board. Three shall be
appointed for an initial term of three years; three for an initial term
of two years; and three for an initial term of one year. There shall
be a non-voting liaison representative from the Department of
Public Works. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting
members. The Committee shall organize for the conduct of its
affairs, and shall elect its own officers.
All appointments, and reappointments upon the expiration of the
original term of appointment, shall be for three years. Members
shall serve until their successors are qualified and duly appointed.
When a voting member resigns prior to term completion, any
successor member shall be appointed only for the remaining
balance of that term, after which reappointment shall be required.
Section 2. Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Arlington Tree Committee is to promote the
protection, planting, and care of trees in Arlington. The ATC shall
support the Town Tree Warden and the Arlington Department of
Public Works, and work with them on tree-related issues.
The ATC shall advise the Town and advocate for policies and
procedures which align with the Town’s recognition of the
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importance of trees to the quality of life in Arlington. To this end,
the ATC shall assist with and advocate for: increasing tree
planting with adequate watering, particularly in areas of Town with
low tree cover; increasing public awareness of the environmental,
economic, and health benefits of trees and a robust tree canopy
in Arlington; and provide guidance, outreach, education,
resources and programs at all levels within the community, to help
support tree selection, planting, survival, and stewardship.
Select Board Report
