Last modified: Thursday, November 6, 2008 2:37 AM EST Norton scouts given green light for their tree sale BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTON - A Norton Boy Scout troop planning a Christmas tree sale on Route 123 may use a town right-of-way to reach the site, selectmen have said. However, Chartley Troop 12 representatives must meet with the board because selectmen have concerns about parking, and carrying trees across the street from the site, next to the Hot Dogs and More stand opposite Yelle Elementary School and Norton High School. The scouts also could promote the sale during the meeting; Norton Cable Access broadcasts selectmen's meetings. The scouts also need permission from Clarence "Butch" Rich, who owns the land where they would sell the trees. Hot dog stand owner James Brown reaches his site, which Rich also owns, through a three-party agreement between him, Rich and the town. Selectman Stephen Gradie was the lone dissenter on the scouts' request, which was conveyed by Selectman Robert Kimball Jr. Gradie said the Christmas tree sale would open the site to other seasonal sales. He said he had no issues with Christmas tree sales or Troop 12. "There are some retail businesses in town that might suffer if we allow this to be seasonal," Gradie said. Kimball said Gradie was "clouding the issue to some extent." "I don't care where you go. You find Boy Scouts selling Christmas trees. You don't find them selling cookies, like Girl Scouts do," Kimball said. MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.