Debate Rages In Chatham, N.J., Over Proposal To Cut Down 175-Year-Old Tree
CHATHAM, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Who would want to chop down a 175-year-old tree? It has been around since Abraham Lincoln was president.
Some say it's just an accident waiting to happen, but others passionately disagree, CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported Monday.
It's the great tree debate in Chatham.
Debate Rages In Chatham, N.J., Over Proposal To Cut Down 175-Year-Old Tree
For more than 150 years a majestic Scarlet Oak tree has graced the public space between the train station and Borough Hall.
But now town leaders are considering a move to take it down.
Borough Council President Gerald Helfrich said reports indicate the tree is rotting on the inside.
"It's a concern that at some particular point in time something happens with the tree and somebody gets hurt," Helfrich said.
Outraged members of the Chatham Shade Tree Commission are against the move, citing the tree's long history and saying they have two reports from experts claiming with proper care and pruning the tree can safely last for several decades."
"The bark looks great. The leaves are all green. You got at least 30 more good years in this tree," the commission's Fran Drew said.
Oh, but the debate does not end there. Not even close.
Ken Fekete said the Chatham Borough Council, which has final say on the matter, is now considering a resolution abolishing the Shade Tree Commission, itself, as a way to make sure the tree is taken down.
"I think it's awful, just awful," Fekete said.
"I think that is an abuse of power," Drew added.
The Chatham Borough Council heard directly about the proposal to chop down the tree from angry residents Monday night.
"Do you think that I and all the people on the Shade Tree Commission don't care about the safety of the people in the town as well? We all care about all living things including the life of this tree," a woman said at the meeting.
Councilmember John Holman emphasized at the meeting that no final decision has been made.
"Whether we choose to spend taxpayer money to keep the tree or whether we choose to take it down -- what I'm saying right now is we don't know," Holman said.
There have been rumors suggesting the town wants to take the tree down to put in a new athletic field or to add more paid parking next to the train station to increase revenue, Rapoport reported.
"I don't think so," Helfrich said, when asked about the rumors.
Still, the tree squabble is creating quite the conversation in this leafy suburb.
"I would say keep the tree up. It's been a part of Chatham history," one resident said.
"Is it a reliable source that says it's healthy?" another person wondered.
All in all, it's a controversy firmly taking root.
