By Christopher Haraden

A three-story holiday tree made from stacked lobster traps still stands at Mariners Park, but visitors are no longer allowed to venture inside the structure.

Crews from Hull’s fishing fleet built the tree – the third year they have done so – and celebrated its lighting on Saturday night. By Tuesday, however, Hull’s building department had ordered interior access closed due to concerns about safety.

**TRAPPED:** A three-year-old holiday tradition at Mariners Park is at the center of a controversy over access to the interior of the lobster trap tree. Organizers opened the inside for public access, but town officials stopped the practice, citing concerns about safety.

Building Commissioner Bartley Kelly posted “keep out” notices at the site on Tuesday afternoon. Justin Goodwin, one of the boat captains responsible for building the tree, posted on social media that he believed the structure was secure enough for people to go inside.

“The tree is structurally sound,” Goodwin wrote. “Four 120-lb. breaking strength zip ties are on each trap holding one another together … The hollow design allows wind to pass through, rather than acting like a wall to be blown down.”

Kelly disagreed, saying that one of the traps – which weigh between 45 and 50 pounds each – had shifted in the wind in the past years. He said he is concerned that the added weight of snow and ice buildup during the six-week holiday season could put additional stress on the integrity of the structure.

“Someone standing 20 feet away and taking a picture is one thing, but going inside with your family is another,” Kelly said Wednesday morning. “They did a nice job. It’s just in a very windy location.”

Supporters of the effort have pressed town officials to allow the interior to be reopened, and have begun a “Save the Lobster Trap Tree” petition online at https://hull.scottybstudios.com. The dispute over access also attracted the attention of WHDH Channel 7, which aired a report on the issue during Wednesday night’s newscast.

At this week’s select board meeting, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said she applauded the volunteer effort by those who built the tree, but shared Kelly’s concern about liability and safety. She said allowing people inside the lobster trap tree might be considered next year with the proper permitting, as some other communities have done.

“Nobody’s trying to be a Scrooge or put a damper on [the effort],” she said. “The tree is a great addition, but safety comes first and foremost, and the town would be liable if, God forbid, anything were to happen.”

In his post, Goodwin said that Kelly rejected his suggestion to reopen the interior of the tree with access restricted during periods of high winds. He also said Kelly told him that posting an “enter at your own risk” sign on the structure was unworkable.

“This is the third year of this tradition, made possible by the great team that constructs it. We privately fund the tree,” Goodwin wrote. “Our team doesn’t ask for anything to make it happen; we just want to see joy in Hull residents. The only thing we do not want is our own town to go against us, and to work with us.”

Kelly said he was not opposed to the tradition of building the tree at Mariners Park, but the added dimension of interior access changed the dynamic of this year’s project.

“I just don’t see a way to open it up,” he said.

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