Belmont Raises $27K for Tree Fund Honoring Glenn Clancy

Glenn Clancy, who served the town of Belmont for 40 years before, is pictured in 2016 during a Community Conversations podcast co-hosted by Joanna Tzouvelis and Roger Colton. (Belmont Media Center/Courtesy Photo)

Nearly $30,000 has been raised in memory of longtime public employee Glenn Clancy.

To date, $27,520 has been raised for The Glenn Clancy Fund—“40 Trees for 40 Years”—which was established in September in recognition of Clancy’s decades of service to the town. Clancy, 61, died May 14 after a bout with cancer.

The money will cover the purchase and planting of more than 40 trees, according to Select Board Chair Matt Taylor. The Department of Public Works will start planting a mix of trees this spring, he said.

The department will track the trees and donations separately from other tree plantings.

According to Public Works Director Jay Marcotte, the program is based on the town’s existing Commemorative Tree Program, which began between three and four years ago. Through that program, residents can sponsor trees in memory of loved ones.

“It was brought to our attention that something similar could be done for Glenn Clancy,” said Marcotte. “This would be an opportunity for people to donate in his name for something that could last hundreds of years.”

Marcotte previously said a plaque will be displayed n the Public Works Department, acknowledging contributors.

Clancy wore many hats during his 40 years as a Belmont employee. For 20 of those years, he served as the director of Community Development. Before that, he was the director’s assistant. He also served as the inspector of buildings, and most recently, he was the town engineer.

According to Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, Clancy, who reached 40 years with the town last June, had been looking to retire but first wanted to finish up a few big projects. Among them was the development at McLean Hospital.

A bench at the new library is also expected to be dedicated to Clancy.

Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne is a member of The Belmont Voice staff. Mary can be contacted at mbyrne@belmontvoice.org.