for using an Alternative Energy Source
FIREWOOD.
To begin the story there were some large Oak Trees at 220 Burbank Road
blocking the sun to the point that a garden would not grow
The resident opted to remove the trees and harvest them for FIREWOOD
and open the area to sun necessary for a healthy garden.
On March 24, 2008 a 3 man crew with a crane arrived and by mid afternoon
( 1 ) 30 inch diameter tree, ( 2 ) 20 inch diameter trees and ( 1 ) 12 inch leader limb
from a 4th tree had been cut and placed in a pile on the front lawn
We had recently purchased a wood splitter and had several size chain saws to take on the task
of harvesting the trees into FIREWOOD
With rain coming between sunny days and the Town keeping the Recycle Center closed
all but for 3 hours per week, disposal of the unwanted limbs and branches was difficult
for the first 12 days of harvesting the trees.
So we concentrated on cutting splitting and stacking the FIREWOOD,
and finally the Town Recycle Center opened for it's summer hours allowing us the ability
to discard smaller limbs and branches and two weeks to the day of the trees being cut
we were well on the way to accomplishing our quest.
Many people walking by gave us a lot of positive comments expressing how well and fast we were moving
and a few folks driving by stopped and asked if we would be selling any of the wood.
The positive input was appreciated , but too we were becoming sore and tired
And then came the Town of Longmeadows Negative Letter
How would any of you reacted to a letter such as this after working so hard
to get things cleaned up
What do these people think when writing something so ridiculous ?
AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ?
Since when is a piece of New England Heritage, a stacked pile of FIREWOOD
so common a sight to the eyes of many generations an Illegal Structure ?
Needless to say that kindled a Rebuttal Letter, an Appeal as they call it.
We are taking time to contact the Governor, Senators, and Representatives of the State of Massachusetts
and there input will be posted on this site.
And now the Town makes it threat of a FINE
We are concerned that the Town's poor approach in dealing with a simple issue as FIREWOOD
will lead potential wood burners away from doing so
Many lots are not set up for a backyard delivery as it would mean for a heavy truck
to drive over their lawns and landscaping doing unnecessary damage
as opposed to a front yard delivery where it could be cut up
and then placed where ever it could be accessed for use.
But that takes time and the lazy and inconsiderate would have to look at the firewood.
and of course begin the sequence of complaints.
Who ever you are doing the complaining you are a coward to not identify yourself
You must have one miserable boring life when you have nothing better to do
than to shed your misery on others, you being the rotten apple in the barrel
A wish to you, for the poorest of health ! ! !
I remarked to a friend one day how nice it would be if all the complainers
could be grouped together in one place and live in each others misery
leaving the rest of us to live together in peace.
He remarked that there is such a town - LONGMEADOW
Unfortunately the rest of us are living there too
The Complaining Minority are receiving special treatment by a Town that should by all means
be taking a totally different approach and attitude towards a RENEWABLE Energy Source .
Since when does the Minority Rule ?
When the Majority Allows it to happen !
Unfortunately a mistake was made by not Filing an Appeal to the Zoning Board
It appears that Procedure overides Freedom and by not appealing
it gives the Town the right to Levy a Daily Fine prior to a Day in Court
Again another loss of Freedom
Yes the Judge could reverse the fine if he agrees that the log is not a structure,
but we all know how tragically the court system as deteriorated.
So a lesson learned ... Follow Procedure, Another piece of Freedom has been Lost
We want to hear your input, especially if you were a witness to the tree cutting and it's harvest
or are interested in using alternative energy.
So write to us at E-Mail Address
mamasobel AT yahoo DOT com
and / or
hillhoppa AT yahoo DOT COM
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