SHOP, NFA Talk Trees—

The Sandy Hook Christmas Tree May Come Down, But Probably Not This Year

By Kendra Bobowick

The Sandy Hook Christmas tree is the center of attention — in April rather than December.

Up for discussion Tuesday, April 3, during the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity’s (SHOP) meeting was The Glen Christmas Tree. The 35-foot spruce could come down per the Newtown Forest Association’s (NFA) plans to revamp its property where the tree stands on the corner beside Sabrina Style, sparking concerns over losing the downtown holiday centerpiece.

Just days earlier, SHOP President Michael Burton had said he would prefer to see the tree stay, although NFA President Robert Eckenrode had expressed plans to remove the tree and replace it with something more in scale to the small corner property with a footpath down to the Pootatuck River.

A few hours before the meeting Tuesday, Mr Eckenrode had hoped “to be a good listener” and “be part of the discussion” with SHOP and town officials as plans for The Glen, for one, take shape.

A nearly hourlong discussion surrounding the too-tall tree Tuesday evening ranged from keeping it in place to relocating the tree to another, larger spot, to pruning it, or removing it in several years.

But despite the volley of ideas, one fact remained: communication between SHOP and the NFA had begun. Specifically, what will happen this holiday season?

Mr Eckenrode said, “I think you’re wondering if you will have a tree to put lights on this year.”

“Absolutely,” answered SHOP President Michael Burton. With Mr Eckenrode was NFA member Bart Smith, who said, “It’s unlikely that changes will happen this year.” Planning and upgrades at The Glen property will be coordinated, in part, with the town’s streetscape upgrades that will see improvements to the sidewalks, streets, and curbing in Sandy Hook Center. Those changes will take place over several years.

As the meeting wound down, Mr Burton suggested additional meetings “to put this back on the table.”

Different Perspectives

Former state representative Julia Wasserman had donated The Glen property to the NFA, and attended Tuesday to share her thoughts. Starting with The Glen property and its value to residents in Sandy Hook, she said, “It’s admittedly tiny, but thousands pass through it.” Then the tree went up. With a history of running a Christmas tree farm with her late husband, Ms Wasserman said, “I know eventually they give out.” She is also aware that, “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want it to stay as a Christmas tree. It’s symbolic.”

She then said, “The big question is, something needs to be done.” She would later reiterate, “I am trying to be honest. I know this is a tough question, it involves a symbol of this little town.” She has spoken with arborists who tell her the tree’s life is limited and it may have reached its maximum. She also knows “the town feels strongly, and rightfully so.”

Ms Wasserman said, “I can only tell you what I like — if that tree were to go, I feel strongly something else [should be] in its place … if you do decide to put another tree there, I have a lot of trees I would be happy to donate.”

Later in the meeting Mr Eckenrode said the NFA had trees in mind also.

Mr Eckenrode addressed the SHOP board: “I’ll give you our standpoint, but will listen as well.” He referred to The Glen as “iconic and charming” and a “keystone to the area.” He understands, too, that the tree is an icon, but one arborist on the NFA board has advised that it needs to come out. As the NFA tries to time its Glen improvements with the town’s streetscape work in that area, he said, “it’s forcing the issue, but in a good way.” He said, “My attitude is to recreate what’s there with an update we can be proud of.” But what about the tree?

“If we leave it and the tree declines, I can’t guarantee it won’t damage what we’ve done. My thought is, we’re willing to listen, but I have to manage resources, that’s how I have to approach this.”

Mr Smith added, “This is your community, we really want to hear what SHOP has to say.”

Mr Eckenrode suggested a replacement fir. “We have trees we can relocate or purchase and would try to put one in as large as we could.” He would like a slower-growing tree that is “more sustainable,” he said. A new tree choice will likely come down to cost, and what size tree can be moved.

Mr Burton said, “This group would be more comfortable if we knew what was going in.”

Could the tree be relocated to another spot in Sandy Hook Center? Local business owner Ray Ruzek noted that the tree right now “is in a tough spot.” He envisioned replacing it in a “bigger area, elsewhere.”

“I think the Christmas celebration will be limited forever by that space,” Mr Ruzek said. Business owners Jill and Michael Kerler were also listening to discussion about the tree. Ms Kerler added, that “with a little forethought to maintenance we could get a little more life out of the tree.” She also said that a Christmas tree on The Glen property is tradition. Cabling the tree to the hillside could also help. Earlier Irene Caulfield of Sabrina Style had expressed her worries that the tree could fall on her building, which stands closest to the towering fir.

Ms Kerler also wondered if funds from the streetscape project could contribute to replacing the tree — if the town provided assistance. She asked, “Wouldn’t we rather spend it on the sidewalk and not the tree?”

“That’s our dilemma,” Mr Burton replied.

Mr Smith added, “We think that if we replace the tree, we don’t expect it to cost a lot to other entities…”

Offering a broader perspective, SHOP member Rob Manna said, “Keep in mind that the sidewalk project will go on over the next few years — maybe that [Glen] section won’t be first.” Aggressive pruning now might buy time, he said. “Maybe make a decision then, that’s one way to handle it.”

As conversation quieted, Mr Eckenrode stressed again, “I am just here to hear what you’re thinking. It’s an ongoing project.” Offering a little background, he said, “We’ve been looking at the tree for a couple of years and we know the tree is not forever.”

Ms Wasserman noted, “You have a lot to discuss.”

“We’ve got time here,” Mr Eckenrode said.

In an e-mail following the meeting, Mr Eckenrode stated, “I think the dialogue was great and we will find a best case scenario solution.” The NFA favors replacing the tree to coincide with sidewalk work.