Billerica LORAX Committee Lowers Tree Protection Threshold, Eyes Fall Town Meeting

BILLERICA -- April 16, 2026, Billerica's LORAX Committee narrowed its draft tree protection bylaw and mapped a path toward Fall Town Meeting at its April 16 session. The committee agreed to lower the protected-tree diameter threshold from 24 inches to 18 inches at breast height, reasoning that trees of that size represent roughly 50 to 60 years of growth for common local hardwoods including silver maple, oak, and river birch. The revised draft would protect all trees within residential setbacks regardless of size, on the logic that development is already barred in setback zones. Invasive species, including Norway maple, Bradford pear, and multiple buckthorn varieties, would be exempt from the replacement requirement, with the bylaw referencing the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group rather than a fixed list. Members debated enforcement at length, acknowledging the bylaw would most practically apply to property owners already seeking building permits, with neighbor complaints as the fallback trigger for unpermitted removals. The committee set its next meeting for May 6 at 6:15 p.m. to finalize edits before routing the draft to the town's planning director for professional review.