Responsible for the maintenance and repair of all public grounds, parks, pathways, school grounds, athletic fields, riverfronts, conservation land, open space, forestry land, boat ramps, and town cemeteries.

Other responsibilities include roadside mowing and brush cutting, marking all athletic fields, and public tree trimming, removal and replacement.

Tree and Grounds Personnel

 

TG Crew

Above are summer temporary help/interns during upgrade at Pine St Field Summer of 2017.

Name Title Since Email
Glenn Ferguson Director 2016 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shane Gokey Assistant Director 2021 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mary Hatcher Division Administrator 2018 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Denise Nestor Administrative Assistant 2009 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mark Smith Tree & Grounds Supervisor 1984  
George Brazil Tree & Grounds Foreman 2003  
Phil Murray Special Equipment Operator  2007  
Sean Clancy Cemetery Specialist /
Heavy Equipment Operator 		 2019   
Peter Smith Tree Bucket /
Special Equipment Operator 		 2016  
Mark Ritchie Special Equipment Operator  2021  
Jon Huskin Heavy Equipment Operator  2019  
General – Highway/Tree/Cemetery Admin. Staff 2018 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Roadside Mowing / Vegetation Cutting

General Mowing Policy Goals

  • Support public safety, especially at intersections and curbs
  • Provide safe areas for vehicles to pull off roads in emergencies, and
  • Clear recovery zones for errant vehicles that leave the roadway
  • To add overall aesthetics to the Town of Norwell

Roadside areas are between the outside asphalt edges to the right-of-way boundaries. The Tree and Grounds Division divides this area into two main zones:

  • Clear Zone (Zone 1)
    • The area of small trees and grass, small trees and shrubs that facilitate highway operations
    • Allows for visibility of signs and traffic
    • Large trees found in the clear zone can be removed for safety if necessary
    • Vegetation is cleared for sightlines and around guardrails
  • Natural Roadside (Zone 2)
    • This is the area outside the clear zone
    • Allows for natural vegetation to grow, and is an area of low maintenance.

In Fiscal 2017/2018, Tree and Grounds maintains the Clear Zone twice per year in spring and fall, or as necessary. When driving, please use caution when roadside mowing operations are under way.

Roadway Island Improvements

Tree and grounds Division, in conjunction with the Beautification Committee have launched a myriad of traffic intersection improvement projects townwide. Improvements include:

  • Fencing
  • Tree plantings
  • Perennial Plantings
  • Mulching and re-seeding

Tree and Limb Removal

The Tree and Grounds Division is responsible for maintenance of trees on public grounds, town-owned land and within the public right of way along streets and easements. The Division will prune and remove hazardous trees and limbs when necessary and replant where appropriate.

The Town is responsible for and will pick up limbs and debris caused by storm damage to trees in a Town tree row. We will not pick up lims, trees, debris or trimmings from a homeowner's yard. Disposal of material cur from a homeowner's yard is the responsibility of the homeowner.

2017/2018 Activities: 

  • With cooperation from National Grid, an extensive tree removal program on River Street and Main Street. Including the removal of hundred of stumps and the replanting of 50-75 new trees.
  • New trees townwide.

Subcategories

Tree and Ground Projects