For Stoneham Select Board, A Tree House Compromise

STONEHAM, Ma. - There was a Lorax in the Stoneham Town Hall Tuesday, along with a 2019 version of the Once-ler. But more than anything else at the Select Board meeting there was cooperation, discussion, and compromise, all to save a 40-year-old Linden tree on Westwood Road.

Scott and Mary Celli, owners of 84 Westwood came before the board, joined by Scott's brother and attorney Craig. Their goal was the removal of a large Linden tree that was in front of their home, but on town property. That meant they needed the Select Board's approval to remove it.

Painting the Cellis as a version of the Once-ler, the Dr. Seuss character who cuts down Truffula trees, isn't fair. The Cellis have no problem with the tree. It's the sap that falls from the tree and covers their property along with the bees that inhabit the tree that they dislike. Mary Celli is allergic to bees. The Cellis bought the house in 1995 and first wrote a letter to the town's Tree Warden in 1998.

"It's not something we waited 25 years to do," said Scott Celli.

Stoneham's current Tree Warden, Jim Previte, was in attendance and as expected he played the role of the Lorax.

"I believe the tree is healthy and should stay," said Previte. "That tree is an asset to the town."

Further complicating the Select Board's decision on the tree's fate was the October Town Meeting at which residents approved an addition to the bylaws on, you guessed it, trees. It established a Tree Committee and put in writing the town's love of all trees, including, "Public trees make an important contribution to the character and heritage of Stoneham's neighborhoods."

Had the Tree Committee been up and running, it would have been a stop for the Celli family. But the committee "hasn't been established yet" according to Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan. Either way, it would still fall on the Select Board to make the final decision. This meant the first tree hearing since the town professed its love of trees the Select Board was potentially going to cut one down.

Another layer in the story was the new town law that if you cut down a tree you had to replace it with a tree(s) of similar size. Since the Linden tree had a 32.5-inch diameter that meant the Cellis had to replace the Linden tree plus purchase roughly 15 new trees for the town at a cost of roughly $350 per tree. That's in addition to bearing the cost of cutting the Linden down. Until the Select Board meeting, Scott and Mary were unaware they were on the hook for 15 new trees.

If the Cellis agreed to the plan, Select Board member Caroline Colarusso thought it was a win for them because the tree would be gone and for the town.

"It sounds like the town is making out on the deal," said Colarusso. "Lose 1 and get 16. I'll take that deal anytime."

This is when compromise entered the banquet hall, the temporary home of the Select Board.

With both sides straining to avoid any semblance of conflict, it was suggested that Previte return to the home and oversea a "significant" trimming of the tree, especially over the driveway and walkway. The suggestion turned into a motion that included a time frame. But a short time frame concerned board members and the motion was dropped. In the end it was a simple promise from chair Shelly MacNeill that the town would address the problem before the end of the year. The Cellis were satisfied. And the tree was saved, at least for now.

In other decisions, the board approved street closures for Town Day. The annual event takes place Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... the board discussed for a second time a proposed policy for BYOB regulations ... MacNeill discussed Select Board goals and showed her original goals from 2017. She proposed members come up with their own ideas with further discussions at future board meetings ... Sheehan updated the board on the town's new website. He also said the combined water and sewer rates for 2020 are 16.69 (up from 15.63 in FY 19) and reflect a 17 percent drop in year-over-year water consumption in town. The drop is good for those who like water conservation efforts, but bad for those at Town Hall trying to balance a budget.