Malden seasonal cheer said to be under scrutiny

Colleen Cross of Malden is calling for holiday and seasonal cheer in the community.

Back in October of 2014, Cross started a Positivity Campaign which she said included repainting the park's welcome sign and weeding in the park garden.

According to the 2017 census, the population of Malden is 209.

A resident since 2012, Cross noticed how those who volunteered to upkeep the community would become discouraged and give up.

“Then came me,” Cross mentioned.

She noticed that town officials would give verbal permission to plant flowers in the park garden, but then turn off the water spigot of the municipal building in the area.

“I secured verbal permission to remove the dead dusty miller from the planter bench and from the flower pot beside our library door, and put in live flowers,” Cross said. “Then, I secured permission to weed at the Info Center beside the Fire Dept. building and place some pots of flowers beside the info kiosk.”

Cross said that everything seemed to be going well.

In the fall and winter following the Positivity Campaign, Cross reached out to owners of vacant historic buildings for permission to clean up their patios, weed lawns and place a seasonal display.

She noted that anyone who reached out to help would do so anonymously or when no one could see them.

In the following summer, Cross began to understand why those who volunteered before her didn't last long. She began to experience trespass, theft and damage at her property.

When the water spigot of the municipal building was shut off, Cross gathered up about 20-30 empty gallon water jugs, filled them from the frost-free outlet at a municipal building down the road from the park and then watered the flowers.

“It wasn't long before a padlock was placed on the frost-free,” Cross said. “Local officials claimed it wasn't there to stop me from watering flowers, so I started filling the jugs at home to continue tending the flowers.

Cross said she found ways to manage the retaliation, but in February 2018 her efforts of holiday displays were being vandalized.

Valentine, St. Patrick's, U.S. flags, patriotic décor and Christmas decorations were either broken, taken down or found in the trash.

“In March 2019, I spoke at town council meeting urging local government to complete their selection of security system, install and maintain the system in order to deter the hateful activity, and also to protect our youth from false accusations,” Cross said. “I am confident our youth are not carrying out these hateful acts.”

Flower pots beside the library door were removed and signs were put up saying no flowers, decorations, ornaments on town property without written permission.

“Instead of getting security in place, the mayor's letter we get in our utility bills said no flowers, decorations or greenery because there's been complaints,” Cross said.

She mentioned that she has requested written permission, but has yet to receive a reply.

“I asked for public disclosure of the alleged complaints, but the town clerk said the complaints had been made verbally to the Mayor, and apparently weren't documented,” Cross said. “Local government removed citizen comments/concerns from the agenda of every council meeting since March.”

Cross said that she had contacted the County Sheriff's Department about putting up cameras to see who was causing the alleged vandalism.

“I am dedicated to not quitting on my volunteer work, and I very much want to deter more hateful activity, and protect our flowers, seasonal and holiday cheer from future attacks,” Cross said.

Since the Positivity Campaign started in 2014, a Facebook page was created for current and former residents to post positivity and improvements for Malden. The page is still active with images of the town and activities.