Select Board approves updated tree policy definition, eyes major FY27 capital projects.
Select Board · Meeting of January 5, 2026
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA — Select Board unanimously approves revised public shade tree definition while confronting a heavily burdened FY27 capital budget. Chair Ann Harrison and the board voted to amend the tree policy to define public shade trees as "any tree within the boundaries of a public way other than a state highway and as further defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 87, Section 1," with Jody Morse, President of Manchester Friends of Trees, speaking in support. Town Administrator Antonio Barletta presented an FY27 capital program totaling as much as $9.75 million across six projects, including $5 million for Central Street Culvert, $1.5 million for the Rotunda, $1.5 million for PFAS treatment, $1 million for Tappan Street, $300,000 for Library ADA improvements, and $450,000 for road resurfacing, likely requiring six or seven override and capital exclusion ballot questions.
The board also grapples with an $800,000 gap between the school budget request and recommended amount.
In the full story:
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Source: the Select Board meeting of January 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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