At Stoneham Town Meeting, Tree Committee Takes Root

The root of Susan Keeler's concern could be seen on the chart, shared among Town Meeting members Monday night. In the last five years Stoneham has removed 272 trees and planted just 14. Stoneham clearly needed its own Lorax and Keeler and 100 other residents were up to the task.

The last of 13 articles was a Citizens Petition by Keeler and friends "to preserve and protect public trees and to establish a Tree Committee to advise the town, Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Tree Warden and other town officials and committees." It was the only article that received applause from the nearly 100 in attendance.

But applause didn't mean it was quickly approved. Among those who had questions was an Oak Street resident who thought the Tree Committee should be appointed by the Town Moderator instead of the Town Administrator. Moderator Jeanne Craigie seemed amused by the idea but pointed out the task didn't match her job description in the town by-laws. No one from Elm, Birch, or Maple Streets joined in the discussion.

An amendment was made to Keeler's motion. In addition to the five voting members on the Tree Committee three non-voting members were added, One from the Conservation Commission, one from Open Space and Recreation, and Stoneham Tree Warden Jim Previte. With that issue settled, residents overwhelmingly passed the article and your town now has a Tree Committee. Or at least the seed has been planted.

With Craigie running a tight ship and wielding one of her 40 gavels, Stoneham Town Meeting members dealt with 12 other articles.

Article 1 was called the Social Host Responsibility bylaw and it passed unanimously. The article is intended to curb the consumption of alcohol and drugs by minors on private property and hold the property owners and landlords accountable when violations occur.

Article 2 amended the definition of the term kennel to include the concept of daytime care for dogs and cats. After a few questions from residents, it passed easily.

Article 3 was the only article to fail. The article dealt with accessory dwelling units, which is a separate dwelling unit located within an owner-occupied single family home. Some felt it put unnecessary restrictions on dwellings that help families with elderly members. It passed, 54-40, but because a 2/3rds vote was required it fell short.

Article 4 passed, adding a segment of the former Stoneham Branch railroad line to the town's open space inventory. This will open the town up to the possibility of grants related to the area.

Article 5 passed, replacing an outdated 2008 Zoning Map of Stoneham with a 2018 version. Article 6 also passed, establishing an Energy Revolving Fund that will allow the town to take advantage of grants and other funding opportunities that arise to improve energy conservation in town buildings. Article 7 passed and set a $100,000 limit to the Energy Revolving Fund. Article 8 authorized the Town Clerk to fill a vacancy at the time of any election and it passed easily. The authority allows elections to proceed in due course in the event of unforeseen absences by election workers. And Article 9 passed, providing up to $2,910,000 to upgrade the sewer system in the Fallon Road area. Half of the money is a grant, and half is a loan or from the issuance of bonds.

Articles 10 and 11 were indefinitely postponed. Article 12 passed, authorized $670,000 for capital projects including $140,000 for two new police cruisers.

The trees had the last word and after 2 1/2 hours Craigie sent residents home.

Photo by Bob Holmes