by Kristina Gabalski
Bergen Mayor Ralph Marsocci says Bergen Electric has been randomly selected to receive the 2013 Tree Power grant from the American Public Power Association (APPA).
“We’re very excited that our name was drawn to receive the Tree Power Grant,” Mayor Marsocci says. “Planting trees enhances the quality of life here in Bergen, and we are thrilled to have additional funds to help us continue in our tree planting efforts.”
The grant of $2,500 is awarded annually to an active Tree Power participant to use toward costs directly associated with planting trees in its community.
Village officials say Bergen Electric plans to use the grant to enhance the current tree program which is facilitated by the Tree Board. The village created its Tree Board in 2011 to manage its tree inventory and to receive recognition as a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The Park Committee was formed shortly after to help with updating parks and recreation facilities in the village, officials say.
Marsocci says he is grateful to the Tree Board and Park Committee for their hard work and dedication to the village.
“Planting trees is a practical, affordable way to do your part for a better environment,” Marsocci says. “We hope community members will participate in future tree planting activities we sponsor.”
The American Public Power Association is the national service organization representing the nation’s more than 2,000 community and state-owned electric utilities. APPA’s award-winning Tree Power program is a nationwide effort by municipal utilities like Bergen Electric to plant trees as a sign of their commitment to reducing energy consumption and improving the environment. Bergen Electric is one of the more than 280 public power utilities across the country that together have planted millions of trees through the Tree Power program, village officials said.
