Scouts might return for tree sale: Offer extended, but site for annual Christmas sale still unnamed

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on May 23, 2008

Local Boy Scout troops could be selling Christmas trees from Kendrick Park again this year, continuing a tradition, dating to the 1950s, which appeared to be ending last December.

At the first meeting of the Kendrick Park Committee May 15, committee members voted unanimously to allow the troops to set up and sell Christmas trees on the public land this year, at no charge to the Boy Scouts.

Patty Brandts, a member of the newly formed committee and executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, said there was no reason not to have them there this December, as rules and policies for the park are still being discussed.

"It's a long-standing town tradition, and as long as we can extend the space to them, it makes sense," Brandts said.

Last year, the possible end of the sale at Kendrick Park, at the northern end of downtown bordered by East Pleasant and North Pleasant streets, ignited a controversy in Amherst, as many long-time residents expressed displeasure at the idea of the Boy Scouts having to set up elsewhere. There was also anger directed toward Town Manager Larry Shaffer, who had come to an agreement with the Boy Scouts to assess a $1 per tree fee for their use of the park, which the town had taken over in October 2006. He noted this fee, in which $832 was collected and donated to the Senior Center, was fair compensation from a private, nonprofit organization for use of public land.

But with the new committee formed, Shaffer asked the members to consider the issue of "interim use" of the park by the Boy Scouts for one more season. Shaffer said his idea all along was that no private organizations should feel an entitlement to a public property, and that a process for future use of Kendrick Park throughout the year needed to be followed.

Among the critics of Shaffer's idea of levying a "ta"x last year and having the Boy Scouts removed from Kendrick Park this year was Amherst resident Ryan Willey, who said this week that he appreciates the new committee's decision to allow the Boy Scouts' return.

"Many an Amherst native from years gone by have fond memories of forming bonds with their fathers and learning how good it feels to work and be kind to people," Willey said in an email. "Also people from many towns in Hampshire County make the trip every year and some come with their sons, daughters and grandchildren."

Margaret Roberts, chairwoman of the Kendrick Park Committee, said the decision only applies this year, as a lot of planning and research will still be underway.

"The committee feels that for a project this big and important, we need to consider everything," Roberts said.

Lyle Denit, scoutmaster of Troop 504, said the decision by the committee is welcome. "We're very pleased and gratified that the community would choose to support us in that way," Denit said.

While the Boy Scouts had received offers to put their sale at other locations, they had not yet committed to any site.

"Kendrick Park is the preferred location," Denit said. "It's proven beneficial for us and the community as a site, and is easy to work from."

Troop 500, which meets in South Amherst, and Troop 504, which gathers in North Amherst, share the proceeds that have typically been close to $8,000. This pays for the dues for all members, a subscription to Boys Life and all merit badges earned, as well as some camping equipment and usually one special trip.

The members and their parents also share the workload, working at least three, four-hour shifts each.

The controversy last year led to employee groups in town, including the Department of Public Works, making contributions, some customers paying $1 to $5 more per tree to show support for the Boy Scouts, as well as local businessmen Curt Shumway and Barry Roberts offering to pay the Boy Scouts' contribution to the town.

Shaffer said the committee's decision is appropriate. "I appreciate the insight and recommendation of the committee, and we'll move forward with it as is," Shaffer said.

Whether this means the site will be used by the Boy Scouts long term, though, remains unclear. Shaffer has said the committee may find that the Boy Scouts selling trees there is a best use for the site between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But other possibilities, such as a public market and an ice skating rink, also exist as options for Kendrick Park.

Meanwhile, some members of the committee are expected to join the Shade Tree Committee in traveling to Keene, N.H. May 31 to visit a similar municipal park and get ideas about what Kendrick Park could look like in the future.