Don Callasisus. Submitted photo.
Don Collasius
My name is Don Collasius and I am running for Tree Warden.
Trees are so important for our mental and physical health. They cool us, shelter us from the elements, and they clean the air. Trees, in a natural environment, prosper and pretty much take care of themselves. Add people and unnatural landscapes to the mix and chaos can prevail if trees are not properly taken care of and removed at the end of their lives.
Our town has many trees that have suffered neglect due to ugly and unhealthy pruning practices and many are just beyond their safe lifespans.
This is not something that has happened in the last year. This town-wide issue has been brewing for years if not decades. The current system we have, has not and cannot take care of what should be a very important asset and is turning our trees into substantial liabilities.
If you feel you as taxpayers are getting what you need from the current Tree Department then no change is required.
However, if you want something different, and hopefully better, please vote for me. I promise to respect your time by responding to your calls in a timely manner. I have the time and experience to build a better Tree Department. I promise to tell you how we can help solve your issue.
I will need your help to change the structure of the current Tree Department budget to make sure your tax dollars have the maximum impact. A longer term fix would be to move the Tree Department into the Board of Public Works. Not a trivial task, but one that can streamline resources and provide better service to the community. This is a model that many towns in the state use and it can work very well.
As your Tree Warden I know there will be trees that need to be removed and far more that will need structural pruning to improve their health, longevity, and beauty. I hope to plant many more trees than are removed, but not just any trees. We will plant trees that are selected individually to each site so they can provide the most benefit and require the least maintenance.
I ask for your vote on April 5, trusting me with the very important job of Tree Warden for the town of Fairhaven. I will take this job very seriously and work hard to make Fairhaven a greener, safer, and even more lovely place to live.
Thank you very much,
Don Carlos Collasius candidate for Tree Warden.
G. Bourne Knowles. Submitted photo.
G. Bourne Knowles
I’ve been involved in the tree care industry all of my life and I’ve been a Fairhaven resident for over 30 years. I am a certified arborist with the International Society of Arbor Culture as well as the Massachusetts Arborist Association. I also hold a Rhode Island Arborists license and a commercial pesticide license. I am required to satisfy continuing education requirements for these certifications every year and I work diligently to keep up to date with safety and industry advancements.
I would like to say that I am aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by some residents with regard to the response to requests for tree work.
I’ve discussed some of the obstacles faced by the tree department with the Board of Selectmen and we are in the process of addressing them. Primarily the need for full time employees and fair wages for them.
We currently have two part time employees who work 20 hours a week at $14 per hour which makes it difficult not only to retain good workers but also impossible to keep up with demand. It’s absolutely necessary to resolve these issues in order to make any progress going forward.
Finally, I’d just like to say that the beauty of our streetscapes and maintaining the character and historical significance of our town is extremely important to me.
Despite the unprecedented challenges that we’ve faced over the past year, due to COVID, it has been my pleasure to be of service to my community and I hope to be able to continue to do so.
G. Bourne Knowles, Tree Warden, candidate for re-election
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