AMHERST – Removal of six trees to make way for road construction projects in downtown Amherst will have to be decided by the Select Board.
Even though the Planning Board and Tree Warden Alan Snow held joint hearings Wednesday under the scenic roads act on the fate of the six trees, and agreed that five of them at Kendrick Park and on Amity Street in front of Jones Library should be cut down, two letters were submitted from residents asking that the trees be spared.
The letters, from Vincent O’Connor of Summer Street and Kate Green of Harlow Drive, force the Select Board to be the final arbiter on what happens to the trees, said Planning Director Christine Brestrup.
“Tree removal will need to be reviewed and approved by the Select Board,” Brestrup said.
In his letter, O’Connor asked that all six trees be preserved.
Green’s letter focused mostly on the possible loss of the four shade trees at the public park, and her disagreement with building a roundabout.
“If removal of the trees in Kendrick Park is necessary for such construction, I am against putting a traffic circle in that location, and I believe the trees should stay,” Green wrote.
Along with Snow, the Planning Board voted 6-1, with Michael Birtwistle the lone member opposed and Richard Roznoy absent, to support the removal of four of the five trees near Kendrick Park, when necessary, so that the roundabout can be built. The board and Snow both asked that the largest linden tree at the park, measuring 19.6 inches diameter at breast height, be saved.
But Department of Public Works Superintendent Guilford Mooring said the trees need to be removed soon so that a new sidewalk can be installed along the eastern edge of Kendrick Park. That work is necessary prior to the roundabout being built.
Questions at the hearing also centered around the cost of the roundabout and whether there is a source of money, Brestrup said.
While the roundabout has been approved by the Select Board and Public Works Committee, interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner said it is unknown how it will be paid for, observing that the MassWorks infrastructure program is not a likely source since it is being used to put utilities underground at the same location.
The Planning Board and Snow were unanimous in agreeing that the tree on Amity Street should come down because it has structural issues. That tree is in jeopardy because of road resurfacing and new curbs to be installed in front of the Jones Library.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
