Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 5, 2025 TREE | FROM PAGE 1 tended to and saved in just the past year. Rosa, who is also the Superintendent of Forest Dale Cemetery, talked at length in terms of the tree “canopies” in different neighborhoods and other parts of the community, progress that has been made in plantings and tree maintenance and plans for the future. By definition, a tree canopy is the upper layer of leaves and branches of a tree or a collection of trees, which provides shade to the ground below. According to an online report, for a city like Malden “in an urban context, the tree canopy is the total area of ground shaded by trees, often measured as a percentage, and serves a vital role in managing stormwater, improving air quality, and providing shade that cools urban areas.” Rosa has received a number of awards for his efforts on behalf of the City of Malden in the past several years, including Tree Warden of the Year from the Massachusetts Tree Warden and Forestry Association (MTWFA). Most recently, Rosa gave a presentation at the July MTWFA annual meeting where he discussed challenges and successes of maintaining urban forestry. At Tuesday’s meeting, he detailed the ins and out of choosing which type of tree to plant and the hazards of the past, where rows of the same type of tree were planted, only to lose all of them to the same tree malady, be it an arbor-borne disease or parasitic insect. All of the Councillors were complimentary of Rosa and his many contributions, Ward 1’s Peg Crowe remarking on the terrific recent tree plantings at Bell Rock Cemetery, which is regarded as one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. “It is amazing how great it looks there now with the new additions,” Councillor Crowe said. Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow was one of the several other Councillors with good words for the Malden Tree Warden. “The Chris Rosa Era has been very good for the Malden tree canopy and the overall improvements that have been made all over the community,” Councillor Winslow said. In a historical context, the Ward 6 Councillor referred way back to the New England Hurricane of 1938, which caused — in today’s dollars — $4.7 billion in damages and was especially unkind to Malden, unfortunately wiping out huge swaths of trees in Malden, many of them irreplaceable. “I remember at one point listening to a radio show back in the day when someone mentioned Malden and then the host said, ‘Yeah, Malden, that’s just Medford without trees.’” “That’s simply no longer the case in this community and our Tree Warden Chris Rosa is the main reason,” Councillor Winslow said. Council unanimously approves requesting home rule petition on Special Police Officers The City Council voted unanimously (11-0) to approve an order submitted by Council President Amanda Linehan for the City Council to forward a request for a home rule petition to the state legislature seeking passage of “an Act Increasing the Maximum Age Requirement for Retired Malden Police Officers for Appointment as Special Police Officers in the City of Malden.” The request originated from Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin, who appeared at Tuesday’s meeting and explained the main purpose, which is to increase the pool of qualified persons to staff police details. By raising the age to 70 from 65, which is the regular maximum age for appointed Malden Police Officers before they must retire, then it would allow retired police officers to be available for those posts. Chief Cronin said there is not always a regular Malden Police Officer or Officers available to staff every police traffic detail and that it is not a desirable situation for safety reasons. Some Councillors asked if there is any other alternative, such as “flag persons,” but the Chief explained that it would not be a viable alternative since “flag” personnel do not have arrest powers and cannot legally stop traffic, as police officers or special officers would. After hearing from Chief Cronin, several Councillors said they were in agreement with the request and the vote was unanimous in favor. Commission reappointments are approved by the Council —Mayoral Reappointment: Inna Babitskaya of 557 Pleasant Street, Apt. 339, Malden as a member of the Historical Commission —Mayoral Reappointment: Kathleen Higgins of 34 Forest Street, Malden, as a member of the Disability Commission —Mayoral Reappointment: Ralph Long III of 109 Essex Street, Malden, as a member of the Disability Commission —Council Reappointment: Brittany Torelli of 11 Reserve Street, Malden, as a member of the Police Community Advisory Council, first appointed May 2024 —Council Reappointment: Chloe Cheung of 45 Loomis Street, Unit 119, Malden, as a member of the Police Community Advisory Council, first appointed in 2024, term to commence upon her confirmation by the City Council and to expire May 30, 2028. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 orInfo@advocatenews.net
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