Oh, my poor, old, tired brain! I totally spaced on writing about the special town meeting in last week’s issue. It happened on June 30, the last day before my summer break. I guess my brain was still on vacation. Ah well. See page 3 for that.
Also on page 3, you’ll find a story about the removal of the Rogers School Bell, scheduled for this Saturday. Who knew a “Bell Committee” would have so much to do?
Our newbie reporter Mary Macedo covered BPW this week (see page 22). They hired a Sewer System Maintenance MAN. Yup, the title actually is MAN. Really, Fairhaven. There’s a 50-50 chance we’ll have a woman president soon. Think maybe you could move into the 21st century, even if just on paper?
Now, about those trees.
What a fun meeting that was! I wish I had the time and wherewithal to quote everyone who spoke. It was taped, and it even looks like it’s up online. Now, take my advice, get your favorite beverage, pop some popcorn, and watch that thing all the way through. I might even do the same, even though I was there.
And be sure to visit our website and check out the documents from last week’s issue.
You can decide for yourself if Mr. Crotty’s letter is just a bunch of legal doubletalk or not.
Not that it matters. Anyone with an ounce of sense should realize that it’s not just the direct abutters who are affected when 18 majestic shade trees are taken down from a main thoroughfare.
Green Street is a jewel in this town. So are most of the roads that have decades old shade trees and canopy trees.
The trend now is not to plant those trees because they mess up the road and interfere with the almighty electric company. Now we plant scrawny, little trees that will never grow to rival the elms, maples and oaks that New England is so famous for.
It’s tragic. It’s wrong. And I can only hope it’s a trend that doesn’t last.
I suspect one of the reasons is that the law regulates the removal of shade trees and canopy trees. I mean, I ain’t no attorney, I’m just a local wordsmith who fancies she knows how to read the English language pretty well.
So, if they plant little trees that won’t make shade in 50 years, does that mean they don’t have to get the public’s input to cut those down when they decide they want to? Probably, a lawyer’s argument, but one they’ll make, I’m sure.
Note, I didn’t say hold a “public hearing.” We don’t do that in Fairhaven anymore, we have “Neighborhood Forums.” We get “input” from the public.
Heaven help us all.
Dr. Bowcock was a Selectboard member for years. It boggles the mind that he, as the tree warden now, believed he did not have to hold a public hearing. He attended and probably chaired those all the time as a Selectboard member. It boggles the mind even more that town counsel Tom Crotty distorted himself into pretzels to legitmize it all.
It’s disheartening, but not surprising. Shame on both of you. You both know better.
And hurray for the smart and outspoken residents of Fairhaven. GAWD, I was so proud to be part of this town on Tuesday. You guys were great. You were really, really great.
I urge my readers, make that popcorn, watch that meeting. Enjoy a little democracy in action.
Until next week then… see ya,
Click to download the 7/28/16 issue: 07-28-16 OutdoorMovie
