Watertown's Hayward Named President of Statewide Tree Warden Association

Chris Hayward is a jack-of-all-trades around Watertown Town Hall, but recently his work with tree earned him statewide recognition.

This week, the Town Council honored Hayward, whose official title is conservation/preservation agent, for being chosen president of the state’s Tree Warden & Forester Association last month.

Hayward was humble and thankful when accepting the proclamation at Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting.

“This is quite a surprise,” Hayward said. “I am thankful to be working for the Town of Watertown, with so many hats the tree warden’s association said ‘Boy, this guy must be doing something right. All the experience I’ve had working in the Town of Watertown is what really got me to this tree wardens association position.”

Founded in 1913, the association is the oldest tree association in the United States, said Town Council President Mark Sideris as he read Hayward’s proclamation.

Steve Magoon, director of Economic Development and Planning, said Hayward is a great guy to work because he enjoys his work and when Hayward is given an assignment Magoon knows it will be completed.

Magoon joked that he wished Hayward had another head.

“I have more hats I could give him, more jobs I could have him take care of,” Magoon said.

Hayward had a large group of supporters in the audience, including those who worked with him in his roll of tree warden, and also those who know him for his other hats, including work preserving historic buildings.

Hayward goes above and beyond when he takes on his tree warden role, said Ruth Thomassian, president of Trees for Watertown, a non-profit group working to preserve trees in town.

“He comes to our meetings, which is not a part of his job, and he shares ideas with us and listens to our ideas,” Thomassian said.

Hayward looks forward to taking on his new role, and continuing his job in town.

“With all my experience, I hope to be as successful there as I feel I have been here, by all the pats on the back I’ve been given from some of my fans here in the crowd,” Hayward said. “I really appreciate it, and I look forward to continue serving the public needs in Watertown.”