BENCH DONATION PROGRAM
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

1. Applicants must read all information and policies for the bench donation program, fully complete the application below and return completed application to the Clerk’s Office.
2. The City of Somerville will make all final decisions, including the location and the style of bench.
3. All bench requests must be accepted in accordance with the City of Somerville gift policy and procedures.
4. All inscriptions are subject to approval.
5. A check for the cost of the bench must accompany your completed application. Scroll down to see the cost breakdown.
6. Once your completed application has been received by the Clerk’s Office, it will be reviewed and you will be notified of our decision.
7. Benches will be installed by the Department of Public Works or a City of Somerville contractor.

TREE DONATION PROGRAM
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

1. Applicants must read tree donation information and policies, fully complete the application below and return completed application to the Clerk’s Office.
2. The City of Somerville will make all final decisions, including the location and species of tree.
3. All tree requests must be accepted in accordance with the City of Somerville gift policy and procedures.
4. All inscriptions are subject to approval.
5. The City of Somerville reserves the right to deem the tree a threat to public health or safety and remove if necessary, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 87 and the Tree Preservation Ordinance (Article IV, Somerville Municipal Code).
6. A check for the donation must accompany your completed application. Please make checks payable to the City of Somerville. Scroll down to see the cost breakdown.
7. Once your completed application has been received by the Clerk’s Office, it will be reviewed and you will be notified of our decision.
8. Trees will be planted by the Department of Public Works or a City of Somerville contractor.

PRICE INFORMATION

The donation amount for a bench is $2,400. This price includes the cost of delivery, installation, and maintenance of both the bench and the commemorative plaque.

Please make checks payable to City of Somerville and write “Bench Donation Fund” in the memo line. Mail the 1) completed application, 2) signed policy statement and, 3) check to:

City of Somerville
ATTN: Luisa Oliveira, OSPCD
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

Please direct any questions to Luisa Oliveira by phone at 617-625-6600, Ext. 2529 or by email at publicrealm@somervillema.gov.

PRICE INFORMATION

The total cost for a tree donation is $1000. The donation price includes the cost of delivery, planting, and maintenance of the tree. The tree will be approximately 2-inch caliper. This price also includes the cost and installation of the commemorative plaque.

Please make checks payable to City of Somerville and write “Tree Donation Fund” in the memo line. Mail the 1) completed application, 2) signed policy statement and, 3) check to:

City of Somerville
ATTN: Luisa Oliveira, OSPCD
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

Please direct any questions to Luisa Oliveira by phone at 617-625-6600, Ext. 2529 or by email at publicrealm@somervillema.gov.

*Subject to approval by City of Somerville

TREE AND BENCH DONATION
PROGRAM POLICY

This policy is designed to enable residents and park users to support Somerville parks by making a donation towards the purchase of a bench or tree. Donations will be acknowledged by a commemorative plaque. The plaque is symbolic of the donation and does not entitle the donor to ownership of the particular donated element. The City of Somerville shall be the owner of the donated tree or bench.

Only tree and bench donations are covered by this policy.

Donation applications will be reviewed throughout the year; however, plaques, trees, and benches will be installed only twice per year – during the Spring and Fall. Applications received between August 1st and February 28th can generally be accommodated for Spring installation. Applications received between March 1st and July 30th can generally be accommodated for Fall installation. Exact scheduling for each installation will be confirmed by the City of Somerville’s Parks and Open Space Department (“Department”) on a case-by-case basis.

Complete funding for the donation must be processed before the commencement of any work. The current donation levels are stated herein. These amounts are adjusted periodically.

A donation period will last ten (10) years. Within this time, the Department will replace a park tree or bench donation and/or plaque up to one time if deemed necessary by the Department design review staff.

After ten (10) years, the donated element will be available for renewal for the cost of a new donation with the first right of refusal given to the original donor. It is the donor’s responsibility to contact the City prior to the end of the term. If the original donor opts not to renew, the donated element and plaque may be removed or modified (including without limitation to recognize another donor) at any time.

The Department retains the right to relocate a donated element and plaque at any time.

The Department, in collaboration with the donor, will determine the tree species and location.

A bench may only be installed in a new location with the approval of the Department.

A maximum of 4 lines of text and 40 characters per line is permitted on the donor recognition plaque. Text is subject to the approval of the Department design review staff.

This policy does not supersede the regulations or ordinances of the City of Somerville, and shall be interpreted consistent with applicable state and local laws.

–End of Policy–