Chicopee receives grant for tree program
Date: 12/5/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — A $23,500 grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will allow the city to move forward on plans to help plant more trees.
DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert Jr. made the official presentation of the grant which the city will have to match — last week at a brief ceremony conducted in front of the historic sycamore tress near the canal walk.
Stan Kulig, who in addition to heading the Department of Public Works (DPW), is also the city's tree warden, explained that Chicopee has lost many trees recently beginning with the winter of 2010 to 2011, through the 2011 microburst and the Oct. 29, 2011 Nor'easter.
Kulig added that he knows the DPW assisted residents in the cleanup of hundreds of trees from these weather events, but many more were damaged and removed without the city's involvement.
The grant will be used to implement the plan the city submitted to the state, which includes the establishment of a formal tree board, the creation of education campaign about urban forest and the completion of a comprehensive tree inventory in the city.
The inventory of the city's trees will give the city information on where new tress should be planted.
Mayor Michael Bissonnette added the city is planning its own tree farm to provide the new trees. It will be located near the wastewater treatment facility.
Lambert said that tress are "important for the quality of life," besides reducing pollution and contributing to flood and rain water control.
The commissioner added he was impressed with the scope of Chicopee's plan. It was the only community west of Worcester to receive a grant from the DCR Urban Forestry Challenge grant program this funding cycle.
Lambert also announced the DCR plans to make $300,000 in improvements at Chicopee State Park next year with upgrades for the facilities for the disabled and replacement of damaged trees.
