Oak Tree REPLACEMENT

An exhaustive review of documents obtained from the management company reveals substantial evidence supporting the current Board’s planned removal of oak trees along our residential streets. Many of these documents are available on this website for all residents to review.  Specific board documents referenced can be obtained from the management company, as they are no longer available on the website.

The management company prepared an RFP, with input from one or more Board members, for a project explicitly titled “tree removal project.” In response, Cotleur & Hearing submitted a proposal dated July 18, 2025. Description of provided services: Landscape Architectural Design, Entitlement, and Permitting Services in connection with the street tree replacement for the 27 parcels located within the VillageWalk of Wellington Planned Unit Development. That proposal was met with immediate and widespread opposition, as evidenced by hundreds of residents who signed a petition expressing their concerns.

On October 23, 2025, the Board voted 4–3 to approve the $77,389 proposal with Cotleur & Hearing for the “street tree replacement” project on 27 residential streets. Voting in favor were President Bruce Ciarlariello, Vice President Stephen Cirona, and Directors Audrey Gordon and Claudia Sands. Voting against were Treasurer John Miller, Secretary Steve Brandes, and Director Nigel Larson.

Following an organized and persistent effort by many concerned residents — including an informational meeting with Cotleur & Hearing that confirmed the depth of community opposition — the proposal was revised on November 6, 2025 to include preservation of oak trees and the Description of provided services changed to: Landscape Architectural Assessment, Analysis, Design, Entitlement, and Permitting Services as applicable for the 27 streets located within the VillageWalk of Wellington PUD.

We have summarized the events and cited the relevant documents to allow residents to independently review the documents. Included are communications sent to the Board, the management company, Village Council officials, the Mayor, and Wellington’s Village Manager.

We are hopeful that the assessment currently being conducted by Cotleur & Hearing will be objective and will fully consider maintenance and preservation measures in addition to removal where truly necessary. However, there is no assurance that the current Board will adopt recommendations beyond what appears to have been its original objective — large-scale tree removal.

The documents, emails, and meeting minutes reflect the plans that were in motion. Transparency is not optional. Every resident deserves honest governance, accountability in decision-making, and a meaningful voice in matters that directly impact our streets, property values, and the character of our community.

Our community’s future depends on informed residents and leadership that respects both process and people.

Stand up for your community. Elect leaders who embrace different viewpoints, value objectivity, and demand accountability. 

You have a voice. You have a vote. Use both.