KENILWORTH – The Mount Forest Green Team wants to keep the “forest” in Mount Forest.
Green team member Daphne Rappard delegated to Wellington North council on Nov. 20 to ask the township to work with the resident group in the interest of protecting and enhancing the local environment.
“We started because of so many municipal trees being cut down,” Rappard said.
She noted the township does have a tree removal policy, but said it’s inadequate. The group’s goal is to see the township create a tree protection bylaw.
Plus, Wellington North does not have a tree inventory, Rappard added.
Members stepped up and began inventorying trees at the Mount Forest cemetery.
Though a fulsome inventory hasn’t yet been completed, Rappard said the group discovered the vast majority of trees in the cemetery are sugar maples planted over a century ago with little thought given to succession planting.
“Perhaps a program can be put in place where memorial trees could be put at the cemetery,” she suggested.
Rappard also brought up concerns with the proposed reconstruction of portions of John and Fergus streets in Mount Forest, saying at least 200 signatures have been gathered on a petition advocating for the delay of the projects.
Unrelated to those concerns, constraints on the 2024 budget led township staff to recommend deferring the reconstruction projects.
Rappard was happy to hear the news, and also suggested alternatives be explored with tree preservation at the forefront.
Councillor Sherry Burke said she has heard from many Mount Forest residents concerned with tree loss in the community.
Arborist involved
Councillor Steve McCabe said he had talked with township CAO Brooke Lambert and determined an arborist would be involved in the projects.
“I think bringing this to our attention is key to keeping our community the way the community is,” McCabe said.
