Charlotte ties up tree planting debacle, looks for new warden

Following a contentious tree-planting debacle in Charlotte that overtook several recent meetings, the selectboard is now working to tie up loose ends before appointing a new tree warden.

What began as an effort to plant trees along State Park Road revealed a deep-seated issue over process, contracts and how exactly the funds used to plant trees should be doled out. More important, the selectboard started to explore the process under which tree planting decisions are made — especially if they happen on private property — and who should control the distribution of Rutter Tree Fund money, the fund set up in 2006 for tree planting on public lands.

The controversy that ensued left the town without a tree warden or deputy tree warden as all three resigned from their roles, with two of them citing selectboard mishandling of the State Park Road planting plan.

While the exact roles of a tree warden are laid out in state statute, Mark Dillenbeck, the town’s former tree warden, explained that in Charlotte, the “job description” includes more than what is outlined in statute.

“The tree warden is responsible for approving tree removals on leased properties on Thompson’s Point,” he said. “The tree warden also has access to the Rutter Tree Fund monies and is responsible for making decisions about dispensing money from that and planning tree plantings. And then also we have an emerald ash borer preparedness plan,” which he added was only currently partially implemented, but would be an ongoing responsibility for the person looking to take over his role.

According to the selectboard, the plan to plant trees along State Park Road highlighted issues with the contract used between the tree wardens and private property owners, and issues with the way Rutter Tree Fund money is dispersed and documented.

To remedy some of these issues, town administrator Nate Bareham and selectboard chair Jim Faulkner have been working with Dillenbeck on developing a tree planting agreement and application for the use of the Rutter Fund to clarify the process for planting trees on public lands and provide an opportunity for public notice and comment.

A draft tree planting agreement was presented at a selectboard meeting earlier this month and is currently pending legal review.

Additionally, the application of use would include the amount of money to be disbursed from the Rutter Fund; the proposed number, type and location of the trees to be planted; the intended purpose the trees; the number of volunteers required to facilitate the planting of trees; and what, if any, contractors can be hired to facilitate the planting.

“The intent of the application is to provide the applicant, the board and the public with a concise list of information relative to why Rutter Funds are being spent,” Bareham said. “​​So, moving forward, the selectboard would be able to review that information during a public meeting and approve it.”

Faulkner said at the board’s meeting on Monday that he is aware of at least one person who is interested in the position, but for now, the selectboard is only advertising for a volunteer tree warden and may later appoint additional volunteer deputy tree wardens.

Candidates will be interviewed at the town’s May 20 meeting.

The first order of business for the new tree warden will be to help develop the town’s shade tree protection plan, which had been in the works with Dillenbeck before he resigned.