Roger Metzger celebrates 41 years of keeping Warwick green

Warwick — When the Village of Warwick was mostly farmland, dairy farmers lined their milk bottles along Maple Avenue, readying them for transport to the creamery on Spring Street. In the hot months, leaving the milk out in the sun was not good for business. To keep the milk cooler, farmers decided to plant shade trees along this main thoroughfare. In 1966, John Sanford approached Roger Metzger, Clifton Brown, Doc Beers and Walt Toffle to serve on the Village of Warwick Shade Tree Commission. The four men were appointed by then-Mayor George Relyea. The mission: to maintain the shade trees throughout the village. Now the Shade Tree Commission’s job is to plant as many or more trees than are removed from the village in any given year. Metzger has served as its commissioner for most of those 41 years. While many have volunteered over the years for the commission, including current Mayor Michael Newhard and his dad, former trustee Robert Newhard, Metzger said not much has changed. “We look around each spring and fall to determine which trees to remove and where to plant new ones,” said Metzger. “We try everything we can to get a tree to live longer.” It never rains on Arbor Day Metzger’s knowledge of trees is impressive, although not surprising. Metzger was born and raised in Ramsey, N.J., when it was far less suburban than it is today. Dairy farms were the norm and Metzger always had a love for the outdoors. He went to the University of Maine, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in forestry. After living in Arizona and working for the U.S. Forest Service, Metzger came back east and worked with Sterling Forest and then in the environmental area of Orange and Rockland Utilities. He retired from O&R in 1995. But his love for the outdoors never wavered. As Metzger sat under a towering Norway Maple tree in Stanley-Deming Park, which he estimated is between 60 to 80 years old, he talked about the village’s Arbor Day program held each April. Every year, the village plants a tree in Stanley-Deming to celebrate. But it is not just the tree itself that brings joy to Metzger. “The single greatest thing is when those kids come over that hill,” said Metzger, referring to the students from Park Avenue Elementary School who attend the ceremony every year. “It is important to impress upon them the value of trees. These kids are our future.” And did you know it never rains on Arbor Day? Metzger points out the Sycamore trees that frame the side of the park, up Park Lane, adjacent to the handball court. Some are planted in memory of former village officials such as Mayor Nicholas Papaceno and Trustee Leo McGovern. A Magnolia on the other side of the creek is dedicated to the memory of the mayor’s father, the former trustee. And there are others. The village has started a program to encourage people to plant trees. Anyone wishing to plant a tree in memory of a loved one may do so; for a fee covering the cost of the tree, planting and plaque, the village will plant the memorial tree on its property. Walking alongside the creek at Stanley-Deming are towering Weeping Willow trees. Metzger points out the two latest additions, the result of the last two Arbor Day celebrations. He said they will fill in just when the mature ones are on their way out. And notice the trees along Galloway Road, just outside of the play area and field by Park Avenue School. Those are Red Oak trees, planted by the Shade Tree Commission. Metzger said it is a safe bet that most trees in the village that are less than 30 feet tall were planted as a result of the Shade Tree Commission over the years. Pretty impressive. Wisdom and humor “I can’t say enough about Roger,” said Mayor Newhard. “He has been such an important part of our village and has had such a dramatic impact on the quality of life here. How many trees have been planted in this community? He’s been at the forefront, making sure we have money in the budget. His community service and legacy are just extraordinary.” Metzger hasn’t just impressed Newhard with his community service—in addition to the 41 years he has spent on the Shade Tree Commission, Metzger spent 15 years on the Village Planning Board and is in his 11th year as a village trustee. Newhard is also impressed by Metzger’s loyalty and level-headedness. “Roger doesn’t get bogged down by bureaucracy,” said Newhard. “He doesn’t mince words and gets right to it. Roger sometimes has a gruff exterior. Really, underneath it all, he is very soft and endearing.” Metzger has been Newhard’s deputy mayor since Newhard was elected in 2001. Newhard looks to him for wisdom, advice, and a few laughs. “In tough times, he is very wise with the information he gives to me,” said Newhard. “His humor, love of life, and his love of trees—he has a good life and I think it shows.” Ditto from Trustee Eileen Patterson, who joined the board last year. “I have learned so much from Roger,” said Patterson. “After committing so much time and energy to the Village over the past forty years, he’s a terrific resource. He’s honest and straightforward; I’m inspired by his approach to Village government.  He’s also one of the funniest people I have met; a terrific storyteller who is rarely without an anecdote.” Metzger tips his hat to the support he gets from the current members of the commission, Cheryl Karas and Peter McFarlane, as well as Maureen Evans, who coordinates the Arbor Day festivities. Tree City for 23 years What advice does Metzger have for the rest of us mere mortals regarding trees? “Try not to hit your young trees with your weed whacker,” said Metzger. “It will harm the cambium layer, the layer under the bark, and will cause it to die eventually. We’ve lost quite a few trees because of that. And don’t let your kids hang on young trees.” Metzger is proud of what his commission has done for the village. He and Newhard note that the village has been named a Tree City USA for 23 years, another impressive accomplishment. “It’s been 40 enjoyable years,” noted Metzger. “People are more cognizant of trees and their upkeep. And the Village looks great! This community stands out because of the lushness of the trees.” Not to mention the dedication of its tree keepers.