Meeting Summaries
Meeting Summaries
The following summaries capture the high-level takeaways from prior Tree Preservation Planning Committee meetings.
To view meeting agendas, agenda packets, and meeting minutes, please click here.
October 8, 2025
- Discussed building process and by-law considerations with Joe Prondak, Building Commissioner
- Reviewed Wellesley tree by-law and regulations with updated staff feedback incorporated
- Discussed priorities for memo to departments and committees regarding by-law focus
- Discussed Harvest Fair results
- Discussed updates from Large House Review Committee and Stormwater By-Law Working Group
- Next meeting scheduled for November 4, 2025
September 29, 2025
- Reviewed Wellesley tree by-law with staff feedback incorporated
- Reviewed draft by-law process
- Reviewed draft schedule for Committee
- Discussed planning for the Harvest Fair
- Discussed updates from Large House Review Committee and Stormwater By-Law Working Group
- Next meeting scheduled for October 8, 2025
September 10, 2025
- Presentation by Committee member Curt Petrini on developer process in Needham and Wellesley with regard to trees
- Reviewed Wellesley tree by-law with staff feedback incorporated
- Discussed planning for the Harvest Fair
- Discussed updates from Large House Review Committee and Stormwater By-Law Working Group
- Next meeting scheduled for September 29, 2025
August 11, 2025
- Discussed bylaw and working group considerations with Chris Heep, Town Counsel
- Agreed by consensus to use Wellesley by-law as base for Needham by-law
- Agreed by consensus that staff would prepare draft Needham by-law with questions/issues for discussion and staff implementation considerations noted, to be discussed at next Committee meeting
- Discussed education and communication overarching goals and specific ideas like public forums, including a table at Harvest Fair
- Discussed updates from Large House Review Committee and Stormwater By-Law Working Group
- Next meeting rescheduled for September 10, 2025
July 15, 2025
- Reached consensus on the need to form a working group to formulate a by-law focused on the circumstance of new construction and clearcutting
- Discussed future meetings to include presentations by Town Counsel, Building Commissioner, developers, and builders
- Reviewed June 4 Public Listening Session feedback and discussed major themes
- Established FY26 meeting schedule
June 4, 2025
- Public listening session to gather community input on trees
May 19, 2025
- Reviewed City of Newton tree ordinance approach and discussed implementation experience
- Planned public listening session
April 16, 2025
- Reviewed Town of Needham forestry practices
- Discussed Tree Policy Peer Community Memo
- Discussed Committee structure
- Discussed public listening session
March 6, 2025
- Reviewed Committee composition and charge
- Appointed Chair and Vice-Chair
- Reviewed prior draft Town tree policy initiatives
- Reviewed Town Manager's Tree Working Group recommendations