Board discusses using town-owned software and phones for tree inventory; labor is main barrier

The Chair demonstrated that the town already owns the software and GPS-capable devices needed to run a tree inventory and said the principal remaining issue is who will provide labor for field data collection. He said the tool is simple to use: let the device get coordinates, select the species and record the tree.

Members suggested the parks department could cover park trees while volunteers, such as Boy Scout troops, could assist in other areas. The Chair recommended Mr. Wiseman bring the proposal before the park board to confirm whether parks staff will participate and what volunteer roles would be acceptable. "The only thing is labor — who's going to do it," the Chair said, and the board agreed to continue planning and report back.