PLUMSTED: Christmas tree debate needles town

Downtown businesses oppose plan to move holiday tree to town hall

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   PLUMSTED — There’s been talk about moving the town’s Christmas tree, usually planted near Oakford Lake, to in front of the municipal building on Evergreen Road, but the plan has received its share of opposition.
   Business owners on Main Street and other advocates have started a petition to keep the tree, or at least the tree-lighting event, on Main Street, but those who want to move it have their reasons.
   ”Unfortunately there’s no place in town where the tree can be planted and have a chance of living,” said Committeeman Herb Marinari, who is also the owner of Big Woods Farms, which donates the tree every year. Mr. Marinari is also president of the Plumsted Business and Merchants Association.
   But William Lewis, chair of the Plumsted Environmental Commission and one of the main movers in the petition, said there are local merchants who are willing to pay for the tree and Christmas tree-lighting festivities.
   Mr. Marinari has donated at least three trees, at cost of about $400 to $500 apiece, for the traditional planting-spot by Oakford Lake and all of those trees have died, he said in a phone interview.
   ”To continue to plant the tree at the same site and have it not survive is not a good idea,” Mr. Marinari said. “There’s probably at least $2,000 worth of trees that didn’t make it. I certainly don’t want to drive by there and see another tree dead.”
   Committeeman Michael Wysong said it’s not fair to continually go back to the donor for yet another tree.
   Also, the proposed new location at the township hall is a larger property that will enable more residents to attend the tree lighting, he said.
   ”If there was a place downtown I would be the first to suggest it,” Mr. Marinari said. “The site at township hall is probably the next most logical place to put it.”
   The committee said a tree at township hall would also be more visible to cars driving by. As vice president of Main Street USA for downtown New Egypt, Mr. Marinari said he can understand the sentiments of the Main Street merchants who want to keep the tree there, but he continued to explain the difficulties – mentioning that the parking area downtown isn’t sufficient either.
   ”I’m totally cognizant of what’s needed downtown and what’s needed for that to be maintained,” he said. “I understand and appreciate their concern. Big Woods decorates the Main Street bridge. That shows my understanding of unifying downtown.”
   Volunteer Park was also discussed as a possible location for the tree.
   Tootie Brusnahan, owner of Tootie’s Restaurant on Main Street and starter of the petition, is working with Mr. Lewis to keep the tree on Main Street.
   ”Main Street is the hub right here,” she said. “We’re not happy with the tree moving. It’s always nice to see the tree on Main Street, so we started a petition.”
   Mr. Lewis said there are several parks in the area that could use a tree, such as Paradise Park and the recreational park.
   ”I’m opposed to moving the event,” he said. “It’s tradition.”
   The event is good for business because many families who live in the countryside come to Main Street for it and see stores they didn’t know were there, Mr. Lewis said.
   He believes by the lake is a perfect location for the tree, but agrees that where it’s usually planted, to the left of the gazebo, is too low due to the high water level of the lake and the runoff from a nearby house. But he said to the right of the gazebo would be a fine location.
   Mr. Lewis also alleged the Township Committee is not giving enough support to Main Street businesses.
   ”If they were serious about planting it they could plant it there,” he said.