Town plans no action in response to concerns about leaning tree

Town plans no action in response to concerns about leaning tree

By Mark E. Vogler

The town has taken the position that a large, leaning tree that hangs across the road at the entrance to Prankers Pond doesn’t pose a public safety threat. Town Counsel John Vasapolli conveyed that message in a recent email to Melrose Attorney Philip Gindi, who addressed the Board of Selectmen last month on his concerns about the potential life threatening hazards of the tree.

“Once again I am informing you that it is the town’s position that this tree which I believe is located on private property does not present a danger to public safety and as a result the town does not intend to take any action with respect to this tree,” Vasapolli advised Gindi in a July 15 email that was copied to The Saugus Advocate.

“As you are aware if there are limbs that hang over your sister’s property she has the legal right to have them trimmed,” Vasapolli added.

Vasapolli also advised Gindi in another email that if he had any reports from a professional arborist “supporting your claim,” that he would be happy to forward them to the town’s DPW Director, Brendan O’Regan, for his review.

Gindi had emailed the DPW director previously, requesting any written arborist evaluations, risk‐analysis reports, or professional assessments commissioned or received by the Town concerning the tree’s condition. In that email, Gindi also expressed his concerns to O’Regan about the tree. “Of note, the residents of Cliff Road have noted that the tree’s leaning angle has increased as compared to prior years and cautioned the owner of 7 Cliff Rd of the dangerous tree,” Gindi told O’Regan.

“The dangerous tree at issue hangs across the public way, and 7 Cliff Rd. as well as the power and communications lines. My concern is that the dangerous tree will give way and may cause death or serious injury to the visitors of Prankers Pond that traverse the public way, and my handicapped, elderly sister, and myself as her caretaker,” he said.

Gindi has expressed concerns that the town has the power to address the matter and issue an order to have the tree removed but has yet to do so.