Town Administrator Steven Contente took the floor briefly toward the end of the Town Council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 12. The issue? The condition of the prominently-sited evergreen that sits in front of the Burnside Building and has, for many years now, served as the town’s official Christmas Tree, central to the annual Grand Illumination celebration.

The tree’s health has been a concern for several years, and Contente said that the Town has brought in professionals on more than one occasion to help extend its lifespan. But the concern has become not so much about the appearance of the tree — which is not bad — but the fact that, as it continues to grow, it’s getting close to the distribution lines on Court Street, which makes it a hazard to decorate.

“This has been a discussion for a few years,” said Contente. “It’s kind of a safety issue now.”

An 18-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, located at a West Kingstown nursery, has been identified as a good candidate to replace the existing tree, which Contente would like to see happen during the month of November, in time for the Grand Illumination on Dec. 3.

“I think the time has come,” agreed councilor Tony Teixeira.

Noting that there are sufficient funds in the tree program’s budget to purchase and deliver the new tree, Contente added that the Town will hire a local company to test the soil and plant the new tree; the town Department of Public Works will handle dismantling the old tree. The Council voted unanimously to allocate $1,000 from their contingency fund for the project.

The existing tree was donated about 30 years ago, and the Council plans to officially thank the donor at their next meeting. “The tree was here for 30 years,” said Council Chairman Nathan Calouro. “It made a lot of people happy.”