West Lebanon Village is now minus one of its majestic, 100 year old, historical trees – which WAS located near the “5 Corners”, on private property. The town is responsible for taking it down. According to officials, it was cut down because they decided it had a split in the tree, which they felt was a safety hazard. NO one talked to the property owner ahead of time, in reference to this situation. In fact, the company that cut it down did it while the property owner was NOT at home, despite the protestations of neighbors. The tree company explained to the neighbors that they had an order from the town, but presented NO such document to them. Further, the land owner, who burns wood for heat, was NOT offered the opportunity to keep the wood for himself, nor was any part of that tree left for the family as a remembrance of the once historical monument.
According to people who live in West Lebanon Village, the tree was posing no problem to anyone or anything, as far as they knew. The family is very upset over this situation. They have many, many memories which are now forever gone because of someone’s mistake? You decide…………..
Thankfully, the owner and his family does have many photos from which they can remember the 100 year old beauty of this majestic monument…………………
is the town hall starting to warm up the paper shredder as has happened in the past to hide info?? what was the special selectmen meeting for this morning? were they meeting with the town attorney over this matter to cover their butts??more shenanigans!!is it no wonder there is no trust with our elected ones??!!
Why go to the media? Why not go straight to the attorney generals office? Let them investigate. If people don’t trust and they KNOW and CAN PROOVE what they know then why not?
is the attorney general coming to lebanon?better chance of controlling the weather.it ain’t happening!!
If anyone can answer about what was done with the wood from the West Lebanon landowner’s tree, I would really appreciate it.
The landowner burns wood as a secondary heat source in the winter, and the tree most certainly was on his property. He could have used it to save a little on his winter heating bill, IF THE TOWN HADN’T CLEANED IT UP AND TAKEN IT ALL AWAY!!!
NO ONE informed him of the cutting, or the disposition of HIS wood.
I may be from the “old school”, but it seems to me this is out and out theft. Who received the landowner’s wood? Are a few of the town workers going to be a little warmer this winter at the landowner’s expense….or maybe one or more of the selectmen?
Is Lebanon is becoming a town where if they see something that they want, they just take it?
Oh yes, the land owner does not have internet capability, so that’s why he isn’t on here hollaring his head off!
I do not know if they would do anything but if you want something done and you know the facts then as a citizen of Lebanon you should do what you can. Call them if you do not take action then do not expect anyone else to do it. I do not know anything about this except what I read here. I do not even know the owners name. What you say seems wrong but since I do not know the facts I cannot change anything myself. If you think its wrong do something. If you do nothing then nothing will change? It is your Right and duty to do something and support the community.Remember if you do not act then nothing will change and you can only blame yourself. Also there are 2 sides to everything. Mistakes and accidents do happen. If it truely was an accident the focus should be on What can we do to prevent it from ever happening again. Was the tree next to the road or in a ways? The road could have a 25 foot from center of road town ownership.
Tell him to go to the press or go to the press for him.
The press may not get the corruption revieled but it will give sympathy to the home owner and let residents know what is going on.
maybe have chairman cole go to the media on this matter whereas he has a connection with them on the happenings of our town.fosters and channel six have been running stories about lebanon.the reporters that highlighted the sod issue at the town hall would be interested with another story dealing with lebanon.
Chris
I Do not know chairman Cole. I do not know the landowner? Ask him for us and see if he will.
jason posts on here often so i’m sure he’ll read all the postings here along with my suggestion.
Good
maybe the landowner could be at the next selectmen meeting and have his questions answered?. if the meeting isn’t suddenly canceled!
I would be happy to invite them. I have tried to stop in to talk with the landowner and no one was home. The tree was a public safety issue and was within the towns right of way. If we did nothing, then the tree falls and we knew about it, we could be liable.
The only time public safety is of concern is when there is an opportunity to slip in a way to get the town to foot the bill for ones own tree removal. Shame it was discovered and they divided the bill on ya… power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely….
I am sure that the tree the town had paid to remove was a public safety issue. If it fell and killed a family in a car and we knew, then the residents would have been outraged and I honestly would have not been able to live with myself. Sorry, but i worry for more then myself, unlike some on this site!
Legal Defamation
“Libel” and “Slander”
Defamation—also called calumny, vilification, slander (for transitory statements), and libel (for written, broadcast, or otherwise published words)—is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government, or nation a negative image. It is usually, but not always,[1] a requirement that this claim be false and that the publication is communicated to someone other than the person defamed (the claimant). Example: Daniel Tosh gives free handjobs on Thursdays behind his local Subway.
In common law jurisdictions, slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory spoken statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts, which arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. “Unlike [with] libel, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy.”[2]
False light laws are “intended primarily to protect the plaintiff’s mental or emotional well-being.”[3] If a publication of information is false, then a tort of defamation might have occurred. If that communication is not technically false but is still misleading, then a tort of false light might have occurred.[3]
In most civil law jurisdictions, defamation is dealt with as a crime rather than a tort.[4]
A person who destroys another’s reputation may be referred to as a famacide, defamer, or slanderer. The Latin phrase famosus libellus means a libelous writing.
Jason:
There needs to be some understanding with the land owner and the road commission and selectmen. There have been many instances where trees have been cut and no one was notified. Then the wood completely removed giving the land owner no option of taking the wood especially when they heat with it.
Can’t something be done about this situation? Where does the wood go when they cut down the tree. I can guess. This causes hard feelings between the landowner and the town officials. Just one more thing that needs to be addressed at your meeting on the 2nd.
Yes, I think it could have been handled differently. I thought the landowner knew about it – but that is the past and we learn from those mistakes. Moving forward, I will make sure the landowner knows personally.
The question has still not been answered-who profited from the wood? Where did it go, to the town or the tree cutting company?
I honestly do not know, I am assuming the tree company took it? I can find out. I am going to meet with the property owners and make it as right as we can.
Isn’t it ironic that no one can answer where the wood went? I feel like the wood fairy came down and swooped it all up lol. I’m sorry Jason I am not making light of you but this has been going on for a very long time. Things need to change for the citizens to believe in the people who lead us. Will the tree company tell the truth as to who took the wood? Don’t know, probably not…….. Let’s make things right here, please!!!!
Are you going to try to settle this and make it right? or are you going to just say \”my bad\”? I feel the tree should be replaced, and the owner should be compensated for loss of the enjoyment of his property, as well as the loss of value from the wood. Ive never heard of anyone having the right to make a decision like you made without some sort of legal document stating that you have the right to destroy and remove ones property. Its not like your empowered by the patriot act.
I did not post the above comment. Anyone can post under anyones name. Glen should look into this. The person who did post the comment above left the website link in place that is why it is blue. the website is not valid so I will look at others who name is blue with invalid links.
I didn’t post any comments by me that are blue.
the contractor did the job at the request of the (raod commis./selectman) town. the selectman should have or be able to get the time line of events, and find out the imformation on were the wood went. it appears to me that there was not a lot of communication between the selectman and the contractor, but between the road commis. and the contractor. just ask the person who was in charge at the time.
i am also concerned about the other tree that was cut down. this will be adressed at the next selectmans meeting.
Sorry for the confusion “me” I placed the anti-spam word in the wrong place… I also altered my anonymous name, I wasnt aware that you had the sole rights to “me”.
me, there are available tracking software that shows you the ip address of people that post, even anonymously. Then you can go to a service and pay a small amount and it shows you who the IP address is registered to. You would laugh on some
Darryl, I look forward to the conversation Tuesday night – the tree company cuts a lot of trees for people and towns. I am very much looking forward to the discussion.
I think the idea of another tree being planted on behalf of the town for the land owner is a great idea. Also, being compensated for the wood that was taken.. Just remember Davis is out of there now and hope we will have better repore with the new road commissioner……..
Me (2)
I don’t have sole rights but If people here hate me they may not take you serious. or if our opinions differ then they will think we are the same person and we are flip flopping on our issues and values.
Jason
there is software but if I am at vip, mcdonald or anyplace else with free internet access and post under your name by the time they figure out the things that were posted are not from you the damage has already been done
One other thing.
Whether it’s the loss of a single tree, or more, some of us feel the hurt more than others. To stewart the growth of any living thing for years, and then see it “removed”, without any notice or explanation, for safety’s sake or some other reason, is a show of “lack of respect” for your fellow citizen.
Me, you are 100% correct. My attorney gave me some good info on how to subpoena video records for public access areas and/or computers if you are in a civil case of slander or liebel. Its sad that it comes to that – but when someone spreads damaging/tarnishing info, then the best way is to go to court, have a trial and then have a decision to clear your name. Then the person is also responsible for your financial costs for the lawyer. True, you may only get 25% of their paycheck a week, but its worth it and eventually they pay the damages and fees.
Jason,
Why is it so important to know who said what? I was just doing like others and expressing a point of view. If you dont like people questioning things you do “on behalf of the town” then you shouldnt be in office. You said “My major goals during the year include continuing to improve communications within town agencies and with the public.” then you go and cut someones property down without communicating with them. The link on my name takes you to the page you wrote that on.
Me (2)
I think he was refering to my comment. If he was And I am in the parking lot outside mcdonalds. you will not know who I am so you would never get my computer. The IP address will be meaningless.
This has not been brought up to start anything. I just used it so people would not get Me and who is now Me (2) confused.
Well, I am off to spend the day with my family and I hope you all have a great day. Look forward and work together and we can accomplish great things.
so stating or commengting “I am assuming the tree company took it ” (the wood).
Is that damaging or tarnisging to the tree company that did the job, if you honestly do not know who took the wood.
see comment #70
responce to #77
jason your right. all tree companies cut trees for people and towns its called making a living or doing buisnes, but they are public and private jobs. the town pays for one, the individual pays for the other. separate contracts ect. and not through a third party, ie road commis, town office.
why should taxpayers pay for something done by our elected officials? where is the contract for the tree removal from the town?if the wood was cleaned up by the tree company wouldn’t that be part of the bill?also,a road commissioner can’t enter into an agreement without the selectmens o.k.ing the contract.if the wood was taken by the town why should the taxpayers pay for this as well?let the one who profited take it out of their pocket and not ours.still no answer why the bill was suddenly resubmitted into two bills.as darryl stated why were the bills submitted to the town if there was no intent for the town to pay for both trees?
jason.thank you very much by saving all the taxpayers of lebanon by having the tree cut in your yard as you explained at tonights selectmens meeting.now i understand how you saved us money.thank you!!!!hopefully the residents understand how you saved us money.i’m glad someone is looking out for our best interest.
Haven’t we all heard this before? “The selectmen are saving the town money. ” You know, when Mr. Frizzell got the bid for the sand jobs, and saved the town $9,000……. Where else did the selectmen save us money? How about the selectman who picked the dump for years, then took his “findings” to an auctioneer in Ossipee to be sold? I wonder how much of the money realized on that deal went to the town?
If thats the case then taxes should NOT go up, but just the opposite.
I’d like for Jason to come on here and really explain this to us. Whom at the dump, ground the wood up? Do we now have a new peice of equipment that we are paying for? Or did someone line their pockets by selling that firewood? Did the selectmen make this right with the land owner? Probably not.
Why can’t they just do the right thing? How hard is it???
strive
i was wondering how many of your questions have been answered because none have been posted here? most questions weren’t answered at the selectmens meeting tuesday,either.
a)if the tree cutting on depot road was a private job why was the road commissioner involved?
b)why was the bill sent to the town hall?
c)why did the town crew haul the wood from the village tree to the dump instead of giving it to the homeowner?this REALLY would of saved the town money by not paying trucks hauling the wood plus paying to have it ground.(if this is where the wood actually went)!!
d)coincidental both trees cut on the same day and the one in the village was suddenly hazardous to the public.
e)how does a $1,400.00 job become a $300.00 job without involving the town?
maybe some of these questions can be answered
chris:
NONE of my questions have been answered. The only thing I got was that they were going to speak to the homeowner. Nobody ever bothered to let me know what came out of that meeting. I can only guess. If the truth of the matter is that the tree company was given the wood to lessen the costs of cutting down the two trees, why not just come out and tell everyone?
What concerns me is everyone knows how big that tree was. It was a big maple. How in the world can you GRIND UP any wood? Don’t you use a chipper to do this?
I was told by someone that I should call the newspaper, but I hesitate to do that without the landowner’s permission he’s already had enouogh taken from him. Isn’t it funny how these things just get slid under the door sort of speak. As long as they are saving the town money it’s ok for whatever they do.
It just burns me up that no one thinks they SHOULD be held accountable….. In any situation>>>>>>>>
isnt it funny that the property owner hasn’t said anything and appears to have has the issue addressed and you people cant move on? I can see why people have stopped coming on here.
I know the family of some of these people and they aren’t upset, the unsafe tree is down and the area looks nice – they did a good job
when i asked jason, he said the town crew took the wood? Where did you get that the wood was chipped?
the wood was hauled to the dump by the town according to the selectmen.the selectmen repeatedly told residents with questions on this matter to contact the tree company.why call them if the road commissioner entered into an agreement with them to cut two trees in town?they are directed by the commissioner with what needs done and he does it.instead of blaming the tree company we need to blame the selectmen and ex-road commissioner what happened.skirting the questions isn’t changing what was done.
I know abbott tree farm and the guy is very reputable – I am sure he will tell you the truth -
did jason pay for the tree himself?
seems like some people are sour that some people lost the election – now that bob was easily re-elected, you are aiming at jason.
I hope jason and the tree company sues for liebel and slander – I know I printed these comments for them in hopes they do
So, from what I understand, Jason has a receipt, a sales slip and everything, but some people that seem to always want to make the selectmen look bad are saying the town did it and charged the town?
that is funny – I agree, the tree company owner would be able to tell the truth, and it seems like you don’t want the truth -
I know Jason wont log on, but I passed on some of the comments and he laughed, he know sees the true colors of some people
andy h i don’t think you need to print anything for anyone because they both view this site.where was abbott tree farm located again?why are people posting here with saying the same exact words that someone else has said at selectmen meetings?
are them the same colors of the fire department he writes about!!as far as the selectmen looking bad……..i think they can do a good enough job on their own without any help!!!
why wont selectman cole log on? He is the first to speak on improved communication yet when the tough questions are asked he just smirks and shrugs his shoulders, Mr. Bentley is a very reputable business man that isnt in question. why did the road agent act as an intermediary between selectman cole and the tree company? why werent other residents in or around five corners told of this opportunity to “save the town money to have their trees cut? And it isnt Abbott tree farm, that would be a company that grows trees so obviously you dont know as much as you think. at this point it really has little to do with the tree at five corners the controversy surrounds a tree on depot road all the way across town. I would like to see written estimates selectman cole received in regards to this tree especially the free one he turned down to pay three hundred dollars in order to save the town money. dont you feel we are wondering in some pretty grey areas as far as selectman using town contracted companies the provide a service in the same day? Mr. Bentley is in no way shape or form at fault in any of this he provided a service for the town and was put in a very bad predicament through no fault of his own.