Dalton Celebrates Arbor Day
DALTON, Mass. — The town celebrated Arbor Day Friday with the planting of a disease-resistant Jefferson Elm at the Senior Center.
"It represents life. It represents the decarbonization of our atmosphere. It represents growth and we like all those things," Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said.
"It represents the Berkshires," Green Committee member Tony Pagliarulo added.
This planting is a first step towards becoming an accredited Climate Leader with that state that will allow for future growth in green initiatives, Green Committee member Thomas Irwin said.
"I think this sets an example for folks to follow, and I think that we are looking forward to having this event every year on Arbor Day to celebrate this important day," Irwin said.
The tree planted on Monday will absorb 25 kilograms of carbon out of the air every year, so the town will need to plant many more trees, Irwin said.
Irwin said Dalton is "probably a step or two ahead of some of our fellow communities" in terms of green initiatives. He said Dalton can be a model for other communities.
"When it comes to climate change, we either all win or we all lose. So it's going to be a team effort and so this is just one step in that direction," Irwin said.
Hutcheson said he was happy to have dedicated volunteers working to make Dalton greener.
"The town of Dalton is extremely appreciative of our energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, such as Dr. Irwin, who are bringing Dalton forward in addressing the significant problem of climate change," Hutcheson said.
"This event, we hope this is the first of many such events which will grow many trees in the town, to absorb carbon from our atmosphere, provide shade, and make Dalton a climate leader in the future."
Not only will this initiative help Dalton become a greener community it also beautifies the area, Irwin said.
"We're honored at the senior center to have something like this. We're offering shade to people in our exercise area, which is really important. And it beautifies this area too," Outreach Counselor Pattie Pero said.
The town hopes to plant five to eight trees a year throughout the community to support the new initiative.
"I envision that they will be at senior centers and parks, and so forth, and hopefully it develops to the point where we'll be able to offer it as well to the residents of the community based on first come first serve," Irwin said.
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