They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.
The Town of Rochester’s Town Administrator Michael McCue led a small gathering on April 29 – marking Arbor Day and the town’s first Arbor Day as a Tree City USA, as recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation – and they celebrated by planting ten Leyland cypress trees at the police station.
McCue, who is stepping down to take the position of town administrator for the Town of Hanson, said he would like to see someone else in town pick up the responsibility of representing the town on Arbor Day every year as a Tree City USA.
“I hope that somebody in town is able to continue that tradition,” McCue said. “It’s a sort of nice, feel-good tradition.”
Representative William Straus attended the assembly, saying, “I think it’s a great thing that Rochester stepped up on Arbor Day…. Rochester is the most rural of the towns that I represent, so it’s kind of nice that Rochester stepped forward.”
Maria Connor from Senator Michael Rodrigues’ office attended on his behalf, congratulating Rochester for the good job it is doing and thanking the town.
Along with Selectmen Naida Parker and Brad Morse, Police Chief Paul Magee and some members of the Rochester Historic District Commission were in attendance for the tree dedication.
McCue pointed out that the Historic District Commission had requested in the past that some natural screening be added at the police station to eventually hide the gas tank installed on the property. The ten trees do just that.
McCue also said he would make good on his promise to donate one of his gingko tree saplings that was grown from a Japanese gingko tree that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and he hopes to fulfill that promise during a gathering sometime in the fall when the sapling is ready for planting.
McCue again thanked the town for its support while he was town administrator for the past almost two years.
“It’s been a pleasure to work for the board,” said McCue, offering his continued help during the town’s transition to the next town administrator. He said he would also fulfill his commitment to represent the Town of Rochester on June 15 at the Department and Conservation and Recreation Tree City, Tree Campus, and Tree Line USA Forum and Awards Ceremony at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.
By Jean Perry
