Fitchburg Tree Advisory Committee Meeting - December 4, 2025

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 4:07 PM, the Fitchburg Tree Advisory Committee (TAC) convened to review the Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan update, receive departmental reports, and set meeting schedules. The committee approved prior meeting minutes and the day's agenda unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting was made, seconded, and passed unanimously (all aye).
• Agenda Approval: Motion to approve the agenda for December 4, 2025, was made, seconded, and passed unanimously (all aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public appearances were made for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan Update (Rich – Consultant):
  • A draft plan is nearly complete (approximately 70 pages) and will be available by the next day. The plan integrates with the city's comprehensive plan and the Parks 2025-2030 Plan.
  • The plan includes five goals: (1) Enhance urban forest through evaluation metrics; (2) Integrate industry standards into planting, establishment, and maintenance; (3) Develop and implement a woodlot management policy; (4) Link urban forestry outcomes with existing city infrastructure goals (e.g., stormwater, heat, risk assessment); (5) Encourage community involvement and volunteerism.
  • Staffing and budget benchmarks: Current staffing is approximately 3 FTE; benchmarking suggests 5.3–6 FTE is needed. The city’s urban forestry budget is about 25% of the national mean for comparable communities (population 25,000–50,000), with about $21,000/year currently allocated vs. a national mean near $478,000 (adjusted for inflation from 2014). The committee noted that city budgets have not tracked inflation.
  • Tree inventory and canopy: Fitchburg has nearly 130 tree species (129 as of June 2024), noted as highly diverse. Tree canopy increased by about 0.5% between 2013 and 2024, though emerald ash borer slowed growth. The city has a goal of 30% canopy by 2050.
  • Woodlot management: Goal three addresses active management of the city's ~300 acres of woodlands. The committee discussed the need for a formal policy and potential active management based on public survey support.
  • Madison's tree protection ordinance: Committee reviewed Madison's updated ordinance that strengthens protections for public trees during development, including the ability to revoke right-of-way permits for non-compliance. The committee expressed interest in considering similar provisions.
  • Public comment and review of the draft plan will be sought via the city website in January 2026.
• Department Report (Anna – City Forester):
  • Kyle Seeker Greenway: Donations funded a second herbicide treatment and prescribed burn; a memorandum of understanding between the Friends group and the city is being finalized.
  • Ash tree removals: Due to emerald ash borer infestation, approximately 114–115 ash trees will be removed this winter. Many treated in 2023 failed to take up insecticide due to drought and stress. Replacement trees are funded through type-closure money, and residents may request preferred species.
  • Private tree issues: The city assists minimally with private tree hazards, working with building inspection on nuisance determinations.
  • Noble Woods volunteer group: A group of residents is interested in invasive species removal but needs more guidance; Anna aims to schedule a site visit.
  • Forestry budget separation: Starting in 2026, the forestry budget is independent (no longer part of Parks & Recreation).
  • Meeting schedule: The committee will continue meeting on the second Thursday of the month (eight meetings per year). Next meeting: January 8, 2026. Typical off months: July, August, November, December.

Key Outcomes

• Draft Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan to be distributed as a Word and PDF document for committee review; hard copies will be provided upon request. The plan will be posted for public comment on the city website prior to formal adoption.
• Woodlot management policy discussion to continue; the committee emphasized integrating private woodland owner assistance into the plan.
• Ash tree removals will proceed; replacement trees will be planted. Residents can request species.
• Forestry budget now stands alone, which may increase visibility of funding needs.
• Next meeting: Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 4:07 PM (location TBD). The meeting was adjourned at 5:29 PM.