Allocation supports long-term ecological health and recreational access
At Monday night’s Town Meeting, members voted overwhelmingly to allocate $50,000 from free cash to support invasive species management and replanting efforts in the Reading Town Forest, a 300-acre natural asset that has become a cornerstone of local recreation and conservation.
The funding request, presented by Town Forest Committee member Christine Lusk, follows years of work to remove aging red pines planted in the 1930s. Those trees, now at the end of their life cycle, left large open areas vulnerable to aggressive invasive plants such as glossy buckthorn, Japanese knotweed, tree of heaven, and black swallow-wort.
“A healthy forest supports a healthy community,” Lusk told Town Meeting, emphasizing the forest’s role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and water cycle regulation. “We’ve made progress, but invasives are firmly taking over. This funding helps us stay ahead.”
A drone video shown during the presentation, produced by Reading Recap, highlighted the beauty of the forest and recent restoration efforts.
While volunteers have contributed significantly to clearing invasive plants and replanting native species, certain tasks — including herbicide application and heavy equipment use — require professional contractors. Recent bids for this work exceeded prior allocations, prompting the committee to seek additional funds.
Finance Committee member Joseph McDonagh reported an 8–0 vote to recommend the article, citing the forest’s ecological and recreational value. Several members voiced support but urged the town to develop a long-term funding strategy to avoid repeated emergency requests.
The $50,000 will be used to maintain areas already cleared of invasives and prevent regrowth. DPW Director Chris Cole confirmed that future budgets may include a dedicated line item for forest management.
The motion passed by majority vote, signaling strong community commitment to preserving the Town Forest for future generations.
