Residents of Canton, Conn. decided to save lots of an iconic sycamore tree that was slated to be faraway from an intersection as a result of it poses a security threat have gained their battle — for now.
The subject of eradicating the tree was set to go to a public listening to Tuesday, with tree warden Tom Richardson to make the ultimate choice. Richardson, a lifelong Canton resident who additionally loves the tree, stated the listening to was referred to as per a state statute that requires a public listening to if even one resident objects to its removing.
But it was far multiple objection, as Richardson stated he has obtained over 100 emails relating to the tree at Cherry Brook and West Mountain Roads.
Meanwhile, First Selectman Robert Bessel has introduced that within the curiosity of balancing security and public curiosity in preserving the tree, the city will go one other route and rent an engineer to search for options.
“Since I was elected First Selectman, no issue has inspired as much email …” he has stated, calling it a “healthy, elegant tree.”
Bessel’s most up-to-date message shared in town’s web site states partially, “Until additional options can be reviewed and presented to the Town, the tree will not be removed.”
The tree is believed to be about 100 years previous and is 80 ft excessive.
The sycamore, there earlier than the highway was constructed, was slated to be taken down primarily based on a memo that states in abstract:
- Since 2011 there have been 5 documented accidents on the intersection the place the tree could have been a contributing issue.
- The highway posed a security hazard to giant faculty buses, creating shut calls.
- Large automobiles, particularly vehicles outfitted with snowplows, block the complete southbound lane of Cherry Brook Road to achieve a sight line once they try to show off of West Mountain Road.
- The intersection presents an issue to fireside automobiles that should take one other route.
- As the tree grows, so do the firefighting obstacles, the report states.
Further, West Mountain Road was constructed across the tree lengthy earlier than giant hearth equipment, public works automobiles and college buses got here into service, the report states.
“Liability for neglect or default of maintenance of this intersection falls to the Town if known sight line issues contribute to an accident,” the report states.
Longtime city resident Stephanie Gould, a type of preventing to save lots of the tree, stated she’s delighted with the choice to attempt to save the tree.
“I think it’s a good first step,” she stated. “It gives me faith that our local politicians are actually listening to the citizens of Canton.”
She stated it is a good lesson in, “Don’t just blindly follow the government if you feel an injustice is being done. Say something, speak up, peacefully protest. There is strength in numbers.”
She calls the tree “iconic.”
“It’s kind of a symbol of Canton,” Gould stated. “It’s just a really interesting to have a tree in the middle of the road.”
Gould stated she believes it’s really the most secure intersection on the town as a result of drivers typically “roll through stop signs” on the nation roads. The tree causes them to cease and go searching, she stated.
“Most people who live here love that tree,” Gould stated. “It has a New England feel to it.”
Richardson stated he’s by no means seen such outrage over a tree removing.
“We are totally open to see if there a way we can save the tree,” Richardson stated earlier than the engineer plan was introduced. “We’re just trying to get our head around it.”
It’s a wholesome tree, he stated, and, “Our goal is to try to save trees, plant trees.”
Richardson stated he obtained about 110 emails in favor of saving the tree. Bessel additionally obtained a lot correspondence.
“It’s pretty unique,” Richardson stated of the sycamore. “It’s a beautiful tree. It’s just in a bad spot.”
He stated the tree creates a “blind spot.”
Richardson stated the tree is simply too massive to maneuver and it’s not sensible to widen the highway, which might additionally require taking down two different timber.
“We really don’t want to see anyone get hurt,” he stated.
Richardson recommended the townspeople on their strategy to objecting.
“In true Canton fashion everyone is expressing their views in a respectable manner,” he stated.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”