WEBSTER, MA — A 37-year-old Webster man has been summoned by a judge to face charges involving the felling of a large maple tree in his neighbor's yard and absconding with the firewood.
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Officer Gevry said he found 40 to 50 yards of fresh-cut brush from a large maple tree that Mr. Sapozhnirov said had been cut down by his neighbor, Mr. Piwowarczyk, without his permission.
"The neighbor stole the wood from the main trunk and larger sections of branches leaving just the brush piled behind the house along the property line," Officer Gevry wrote in his report.
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When questioned by police, Mr. Piwowarczyk said he received permission to cut down the tree from first-floor tenant John Gillis.
According to the police report, Mr. Piwowarczyk said he paid $600 to rent a four-wheel-drive forklift and hired two friends to help. He also admitted to taking the wood.
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The tree was cut on Memorial Day, when most of the tenants and the property owner were away. Neighbors told police that the crew removing the tree appeared drunk and careless.
Officer Gevry said he later spoke with Mr. Sapozhnirov and Mr. Piwowarczyk and learned the grievance had not been resolved. After consulting with the District Attorney's Office, he filed charges on July 5.