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General News: Future of Village Christmas Tree Discussed

An artist's rendering of a Christmas tree inside of a gazebo makes a lovely winter scene.
An artist's rendering of a Christmas tree inside of a gazebo makes a lovely winter scene.
The spruce tree fully lighted.
The spruce tree fully lighted.
November 10, 2009

It’s a delicate subject and the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson trustees knew that on Monday night when they started discussing the future of the Christmas tree in the village square.

As the village prepares to light the 60-foot+ spruce tree, several of the trustees said they are concerned about the expense of keeping it lit up. After last year’s Christmas season, members of the Storm King Fire Engine Company, which uses its ladder truck to string the lights, and workers from the village department of public works left many of the upper bulbs still hanging to avoid repeating the task this year.

On Monday night, trustee Rick Gioia spoke of the benefits of putting a live tree in the center of the gazebo that can be planted in the spring. Trustee Barbara Gosda said that she has seen other communities that decorated a tree in a gazebo that looked “stunning.”   Trustee Doug Vatter said he was going to keep quiet on the matter for now.

Trustee Gosda said that first the village should test to see if the lights left hanging all year still work, noting that it would be a “heavy expenditure” if new lights are needed.

Mayor Joseph Gross agreed to look into the idea of moving the lights to a new tree inside the gazebo, but noted that it could stir passions in a village that honors its traditions. “It’s a potentially contentious issue,” Gross said. “But it’s an expense and it’s dangerous, a liability issue.”

After a similar discussion about the tree in 2007, it was decided to keep lighting the towering spruce.



Comments:

Purchasing a live tree each year sounds more expensive than simply stringing lights on the beautiful spruce that already stands next to the gazebo. And I believe that there is more to the story as to why the fire dept. did not remove the lights last year. If the village considers leaving the lights in the tree all year long a liability, then the village should take them down after Christmas.


posted by Christopher Dauerer on 11/10/09 at 3:15 PM

I believe as it sounds to me is that the fire dept was and probably still is upset in that during tough times they were questioned on their expenses. Its sad that even though everyone respects the dept they came across as untouchable in this economy. Hopefully they will swallow some pride and continue on a tradition and not let economic downfalls pit government against servicemen. Thanks for all the dedication of both village hall and OUR firemen and women.
Cheer up everyone and Happy Holidays!
look forward the lit tree this year!


posted by rich rome on 11/10/09 at 3:53 PM

I agree with Chris that it sounds more expensive to buy a live tree. We have the most perfect, beautiful tree right in the heart of the village to light up. Please put your heads together to come up with a solution.


posted by louise carnright on 11/10/09 at 6:03 PM

I believe that several years ago the village had the foresight to plant a new tree behind the existing spruce tree. At the time the new tree was planted so that it could one day be used as the villages christmas tree. The concern at the time was that the current tree was too close to the bandstand and was getting too big. It was beginning to overwhelm the bandstand which was suppose to be the centerpiece of the village square. As someone who has been involved with decorating the current tree I must say it is not a very easy thing to do given it's current size. With the estimated size of 60 plus feet it will very soon be out of reach with the fire departments 75' tower ladder. It might be time to think about removing the tree and utilizing the new tree that was planted a few years ago. This way we could continue the tradition of a living christmas tree come the holiday season as well as having a growing symbol of the season that our children could grow up with.


posted by Mike Trainor on 11/11/09 at 1:03 PM

Surprised no one answered Mike Trainor's post yet. I think it just about takes care of everything. It's nice to have a local who is so thoughtful and giving to the community. I don't know Mike personally but I can say we are a better village with people like him. Though I'm not native to Cornwall I have to say it's people like him that make this place special. I'd like to add all the Volunteer Firefighters and COVAC to that list. They are special people and we should NEVER forget what they do. I thank them all. Pat Welch


posted by P W on 11/12/09 at 10:12 AM

Oy Vey just put up a menorah.


posted by j h on 11/13/09 at 11:18 AM

we do.


posted by Kate Benson on 11/14/09 at 10:42 PM

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