By Adam Swift
Town Tree Warden Tom Derderian presented a plan to plant 20 red oak trees around the middle and high schools to the school committee at Monday night’s meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard said she would contact the athletic director about the plan to make sure none of the trees are potentially planted in areas that could create issues for the athletic programs.
Derderian said that in addition to creating shade near the schools, the tree plantings could provide opportunities for students and teachers to get involved in the planting and tree care process.
“They cast shade on pavement, produce some cooling, and add to the safety and environment of the whole town,” said Derderian. “It would teach students a little bit about tree biology, it’s something teachers might want to do for their classes, and I could teach something about how you plant trees and how you care for trees. Trees are living things, they are not simply stuck in the ground someplace, they grow and they last a long time.”
Howard said that if the tree plantings move forward, it will be a collaboration between the principal of the school, the athletic director, the facilities manager, and the school committee along with the tree warden.
Derderian said he has met with the public works department to make sure the potential planting locations are not anywhere that could affect underground utilities or sprinkler systems.
Town Council President Jim Letterie said he wanted to make sure Derderian and the schools work together to make sure none of the trees are planted behind the backstops to the ballfield where there is a planned memorial.
“I applaud you for the effort, I think it is fantastic, you can always use more trees,” said Letterie. “I think it would be good to have a little thought with a few other people, especially in that area. For example … between the football field and the golf course there were trees that were planted that haven’t done well, so maybe replacing some of those could be a good thing, too.
“I think there are definitely areas where the (athletic director) should have input on this depending on what might happen in the future with memorials or whatever.”
Howard said she would be contacting the athletic director about the plan and getting back in touch with Derderian.