Fairfield Awarded Tree City USA Honors

Following Fairfield's 27th annual celebration of Arbor Day, held at Greenfield Hill Cemetery April 26th, Chris Martin, State Forester for Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), presented the Town with its 26th 'Tree City USA' award in recognition of Fairfield's sound forestry management that involves caring for and managing public trees. Fairfield is one of 19 communities in the State to be recognized with this honor and is tied with one other community in receiving the most 'Tree City USA' awards.

The Cemetery had been selected for the Town's annual celebration because of the preservation work that has been performed at this historic site thanks to the leadership of volunteer resident Melanie Marks. The Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), of which Ms. Marks is a member, chose the Cemetery as their contribution to the Town's 375th anniversary. DAR will be dedicating a new plaque honoring ten more Revolutionary War Soldiers.

The annual Arbor Day Celebration was hosted by the Greenfield Hill Village Improvement Society (GHVIS). In addition to GHVIS President John Jones and board members Carolyn Rogers, Cathy Tymniak, April Cline, and Melanie Marks, Tree Warden Ken Placko, Fairfield Forestry Committee Chair Misty Beyer, First Selectman Tetreau and also attended. Representing the DAR were Betty Oderwald, Debbie Plungys, and Mrs. Tymniak, DAR Regent. Mrs. Oderwald gave a speech honoring Dr. Isaac Bronson who first initiated the planting of dogwood trees which is why two dogwood trees were planted at the Cemetery in honor of Arbor Day.

Oliver Nurseries of Fairfield planted two dogwood trees at the entrance of the Cemetery. Oliver's generously donated 50 trees to the Town in honor of its 50th anniversary and in honor of the Town's 375th anniversary. The Fairfield Board of Selectmen recognized Oliver's at a recent meeting and thanked the Nursery for their generous donation to the Town.

First Selectman Tetreau said, "The Town of Fairfield takes great pride in our beautiful surroundings and recognizes the value that trees have for current and future generations. I thank the State for awarding Fairfield a 'Tree City USA' and also thank everyone who came together on Arbor Day to help us celebrate this important tradition. I also want to congratulate our tree warden for being recognized as this year's 'Outstanding Tree Warden' in Connecticut."

In March, the Tree Wardens' Association of Connecticut honored Fairfield Tree Warden Ken Placko with the "Outstanding Tree Warden" in the State for his diligent work in the Town of Fairfield and for helping fellow tree wardens across the state.

Tetreau added, "Our Town is very proud of the outstanding work Mr. Placko has performed in our community over the years. He has gone above and beyond time after time, especially during the intense storms we have faced. Fairfield is very fortunate to have such a hard-working and dedicated Tree Warden like Ken Placko."