By Beth David, Editor
The two candidates for Fairhaven Tree Warden, incumbent G. Bourne Knowles and challenger Don Collasius both participated in the candidates night on 3/15 sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association and Fairhaven Government Access TV-Channel 18.
The questions were posed by Fairhaven High School student Elizabeth Edminster, and the evening was moderated by NFIA president Pauline Parker. Candidates were introduced according to their placement on the ballot. Fairhaven votes on Monday, 4/6.
Mr. Knowles started by saying he would keep his introduction “short and sweet.”
He said he has been in the tree industry his whole life, and described his qualifications. He is a certified arborist in Mass. and Rhode Island, and a certified pesticide applicator. He said those qualifications require ongoing education and a code of ethics.
He said he was aware of the “dissatisfaction” with tree trimming, and “my decisions with certain trees,” in town.
He said he has discussed changing the position with the Selectboard, especially to extend the hours of the part time employees and increase their wages to “make it a more desirable job.”
Currently, two employees work 19 hours a week at $14 to $16/hour, for a dangerous job that requires a lot of training.
He said he would like to “move forward and address all of those demands and keep moving forward as your tree warden.”
Mr. Collasius started by saying that the tree warden position has the “unique legal responsibility” to guarantee public resources. He noted that the state mandates that each municipality have a tree warden. Some are elected, some are appointed.
“I would make customer service my top priority,” said Mr. Collasius, adding he would implement a pruning program and would make the information easily available so residents could see the progress, “or lack thereof.”
Mr. Collasius said he wanted the job because he cares about the town and “trees in general.”
He said he would pursue grants and the possibility of merging the position with the public works department.
Trees add beauty and help the environment, he said, adding he brings an “excellent work ethic” to the job and he has experience with trees, having cut down the trees to build a house and running a tree lot for 30 years.
“I know what a good branch collar is,” said Mr. Collasius. “More importantly, I know when to call in an expert.”
As an engineer, he said he knows how to fix and design things, and the tree department is broken.
“Please give me a chance to fix it,” he said.
Ms. Edminster asked both candidates what the three priorities and duties of the Tree Warden are.
Mr. Knowles said trees should be preserved and only removed for the right reasons. He said trees need to be evaluated for pests and other reasons they might be in imminent danger of falling or causing damage.
Mr. Collasius answered that public safety is first, the beauty of the town is second, and engagement with the public is third.
He said he worried about the lack of work done to trees causing a safety hazard. Pruning practices have caused oddly shaped, lopsided trees.
“Our trees are dying right now,” said Mr. Collasius.
He also said he would engage with the public and “give them the service they deserve.”
It is no secret that Mr. Collasius has been trying to get a tree near his house removed and has been battling with Mr. Knowles over it, and has complained that Mr. Knowles does not call him back.
“When someone calls a public servant they deserve a call back, they deserve respect,” said Mr. Collasius. “At this point in time, I don’t think we’re managing that. I don’t know why, but we’re not.”
Ms. Edminister also asked them for their thoughts about the selection process for removal and replacement of town trees.
Mr. Knowles said if the town or a resident wants a tree removed, it is evaluated for health and safety of the tree. The decision is made by the tree warden, he said. If it is removed another one is planted.
“My policy is a one for one replacement,” he said, adding that it will be a proper tree, properly placed and planted in the right location.
Mr. Collasius described three levels of surveying a tree: A simple drive-by; looking at it closer; and comprehensive evaluation.
He said he is in favor of three new trees for every one taken down, because they cannot replace the bulk of a large tree with a young one.
He said trees can be used to deal with storm water runoff, for shade, aesthetics, and other things, so each situation is unique.
In their closing statements, Mr. Knowles said the beauty of our treescape in maintaining the character of Fairhaven is extremely important to him.
“I’m not a tree removal guy,” said Mr. Knowles, adding he tries to keep everything we have.
Despite the “unprecedented challenges of the last year, with COVID and personnel issues, he said, “It has truly been a pleasure to deal with the people I have dealt with in the town.”
“It’s been a pleasure to be in the community,” he said and urged everyone to get out and vote.
Mr. Collasius closed by saying the town has suffered with “ugly and unhealthy pruning practices,” adding it did not happen in just the last year, it has been decades in the making.
He said it was a “substantial liability for the town, and promised to make changes if he wins.
He also said he supported the tree warden being part of the public works department.
He said he would take the job “very seriously.”
See last week’s issue for the Selectboard candidates. See page 16 for Board of Health.
To watch the video, visit https://livestream.com/fairhavenlive/events/8101110
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