By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Tree Committee and the Conservation Commission are still looking to have the town remove nine invasive trees that were planted behind the Veterans Memorial last year.
During a June meeting, the Conservation Commission voted to authorize the Department of Public Works (DPW) to remove nine invasive Bradford pear trees from behind the Veterans Memorial on South Common Street. The trees were planted behind the monument last year. Additionally, the Planning Board has agreed to finance the cost of replacing the invasive trees with non-invasive trees.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources added the Bradford pear tree to the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List in September 2024, which was two months before the Veterans Memorial’s public dedication last Veterans Day. The list “prohibits the importation, sale and trade of plants determined to be invasive in Massachusetts.”
According to the Department of Agricultural Resources, no imports, acquiring of new stock or propagation of Bradford pear trees has not been allowed in the state since Sept. 19, 2024. The state will no longer permit the sales of Bradford pear trees after Dec. 31, 2028.
In a letter sent to the Select Board, Town Administrator Rob Dolan and other local officials on Oct. 14, Tree Committee Chair Jane Bandini along with members Beth Aaronson, Patricia Fabbri, Melanie Lovell, Alison McKendree, Rosemarie Sacco and Mia H. Feng requested to be “placed on the Select Board agenda at the next available opportunity to discuss the Bradford Pear trees planted at the Veterans War Memorial.”
“This matter has been reviewed with thoughtful discussion and consideration of all pertinent facts over multiple meetings for the past 18 months by the Conservation Commission,” the Tree Committee stated in the letter. “The commission determined and notified all relevant parties that these trees were planted within a wetlands buffer zone without a required permit or an approved plan, and consequently formally ordered the removal of the trees, citing the ecological harm they pose to our valuable wetland ecosystems. The Planning Board also demonstrated its support by voting to cover the replacement cost with appropriate native species. We believe that by supporting the collective decisions of the Conservation Commission and Planning Board, the Select Board can effectively conclude this matter and ensure that public projects adhere to the same environmental standards and are applied equally across our town.”
The Tree Committee recalled in the letter that the panel serves as “an advisory committee to both the public and private sectors” and “recognizes the detrimental effect the introduction of non-native species abutting sensitive conservation wetlands would incur.”
“We therefore agree with the Conservation Commission finding and propose the removal of these harmful trees after Veterans Day 2025, with replanting completed by May 1, 2026,” the Tree Committee stated. “This would safeguard a timely and environmentally responsible resolution from the Conservation Commission based on compliance with established procedures and protocols. Ensuring the Veterans Memorial site is stewarded with environmentally appropriate, native plantings aligns with its enduring significance. We look forward to discussing this issue further at the next available Select Board meeting.”
The Tree Committee also revisited the invasive trees issue during the Conservation Commission’s September meeting when Lovell and Sacco read a different letter from the panel about them.
“We agree that the Bradford pears were a poor choice to plant in this particular location and we further agree that the town, not just its citizens, should adhere to state and local regulations,” said Lovell. “Three months have past since the June meeting, but the nine trees have yet to be removed.”
Lovell said the Tree Committee understands that the DPW has experienced recent challenges, including staffing changes and the Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 trash strike that has ended.
“However, had a private homeowner been found in violation of wetlands laws and bylaws, it would have been that homeowner’s responsibility to expeditiously remove their trees,” said Lovell. “A delay without good reason would be unacceptable. To help expedite this process and ensure these harmful trees do not remain in the buffer zone any longer than necessary, the Lynnfield Tree Committee hereby offers its services to remove the trees on behalf of the town. We would be grateful for the Conservation Commission’s authorization to do so. We ask that you vote tonight to allow us to perform this important task, which has been unnecessarily delayed. The Tree Committee urges you to lead by example. We thank you for your commitment to upholding and enforcing the Wetlands Protection Act as well as Lynnfield’s Wetland Protection Bylaw.”
After Lovell read the Tree Committee’s letter, she said that she “understands the irony of the Tree Committee asking you to remove trees.”
“However, these trees are a problem,” said Lovell. “This may allow you to avoid having to issue an enforcement order or having this issue be escalated to MassDEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) at a later time. We can get this work done and will do it for free as volunteers for the town. We just need you to give us the authorization to do so.”
Conservation Commission Chair Don Gentile thanked Lovell and the Tree Committee for offering to remove the nine invasive Bradford pear trees.
“I am not sure that we can authorize the Tree Committee to remove trees on town property,” said Gentile. “I think we need the body with jurisdiction and the right to make changes on that land to move forward and do it. I think that is the Select Board.”
Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori said the Select Board “are the only ones who have authority over what happens on town land otherwise.”
Lovell recalled that she cleaned up town-owned land both as a citizen and as a former member of the Conservation Commission. She said one of the property’s that was cleaned up is the old E.F. Gerry Co. Cider & Vinegar property located on Walnut Street.
“We pulled out shrubs and we pulled out invasive plants,” said Lovell. “We did a lot of work for the town.”
Cademartori said the Conservation Commission owns the old E.F. Gerry Co. Cider & Vinegar property and not the town.
Conservation Commission member Erin Hohmann asked Cademartori if planting the nine invasive Bradford pear trees violated the permits the town received for the Veterans Memorial project.
“The planting of the trees was supposed to come back to us,” said Cademartori. “We would not have authorized said selection of trees. The trees weren’t even to be behind the memorial. They were supposed to be at either side of the memorial because the memorial was already placed at the limit of disturbance.”
Gentile said the Select Board has to “act” on removing the nine invasive Bradford pear trees.
“We denied a gentleman the right to cut down some trees on property owned by an HOA (homeowners association),” said Gentle. “I don’t think we can give the Tree Committee the right to remove trees on property other than us own.”
Gentile asked Lovell if the Tree Committee wants to discuss removing the invasive trees during a Select Board meeting.
“Absolutely,” said Lovell. “My understanding is they don’t have to add anything to the agenda that they don’t want to. My follow-up question would be if we are unsuccessful in getting on the Select Board’s agenda, how long does the town stay in violation of the Wetlands Protection Act? Or is this a moot point? We are trying to avoid this being a moot point because this is obviously a problem.”
Gentile concurred with Lovell’s point of view.
“I think we need to get before the Select Board,” said Gentile.
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford declined commenting on the Tree Committee’s request to have the invasive trees issue placed on an upcoming Select Board agenda.