The following email was sent to BHCW for publication by Steven Kark, Berkeley Heights Resident

I want my neighbor to keep his trees the way they are. He wants to cut some of them down. So we had a little discussion and this is what happened.

I told him that 3 friends of mine think that the trees are good for his health, but he said his health is just fine.

And he does not think that cutting down some of the trees will harm his health in any way. I told him that the 3 friends who had studied this question decided that his health would be better if he leaves the trees the way they are. So I asked my 3 friends for the study but they said it was just a made up claim and had no basis in fact.

He asked about these 3 friends and why they think his health depends on keeping the trees as they are. I said they are just some people who live in town and like to tell other people what to do with their own property.

He said he thought he had the right in a free country to use and enjoy his property. As he sees fit and does not like to be told what to do as long as he is not hurting anyone else. So I told him he could pay me $25 for each tree that he wants to cut down and I would be happy and not bother him anymore. He told me to get lost and I have not spoken to him since.

Thank you,

BHCW Note:

The email refers to the following item included in the attachments for the 03/05/2024 Town Council Meeting (Tree Protection):

Within the email exchange, BHCW discovered that the Town Council is no longer reading correspondence from the community out loud during meetings – the Mayor confirmed this in a follow up:

We are waiting to hear back if the ability for residents to comment through Zoom Access has also been removed.

Read More on Town Council Agendas and Meetings

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