by Greg Nadeau in Environment and Open Space, Neighborhoods and Squares - Posted on November 12, 2008 at 9:47 pm
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Thorndike Street Willow Threatened
Friends, neighbors, tenants, and people passing by were aghast to see four massive trucks from Cambridge Landscape setting up to take down one of Somerville’s grandest trees. Tenants complained that the landlords representative had told them only that “tree work” would be done, not that a tree which affects the entire neighborhood would come down. Several long-time residents opinined that removing the tree would lead to flooding in the area. The tree was assessed at over a hundred years and is a defining feature in the neighborhood. Deborah Henson-Conant, the famous harpist, composed a song about this tree and is said to be preparing a YouTube video with Arlington kids about the tree.
A 4 hour face-off ensued as about a dozen people placed themselves under the tree, blocking the workers from taking down the tree, and madly dialing city and other community leaders. Alderman Jack Connelly was the one who came through reaching Joe Benoit in CO, the absentee landlord who owns the tree, and convincing him and Cambridge Landscape to take a break and re-consider. Mr. Benoit pledged to
Neighbors rejoiced and vowed to organize for another day as the trucks moved off.
Clearly, Mr. Benoit needs to be straight with his tenants. If the tree needs to come down, so be it. It would be nice if he would let the neighborhood know why the tree has to come down and what, if anything he intends to do to replace the scar that its removal would create. By all accounts Mr. Benoit has a good reputation with his tenants and in the community. Hopefully, he will clean up the communication mess with his tenants and their neighbors and do the right thing.
If you are interested in staying informed about the tree or would like to see a picture of it go to:
groups.yahoo.com/group/SavetheThorndikeWillow
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The second paragraph ends in the middle of a sentence. Can you fix this?
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Mr, Benoit pledged to meet with tree experts and communicate better with his tenants and neighbors when he returns from his business trip.
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Thanks. When does he return?
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