Politics & Government

If a Tree Falls it May Again Be Replaced

Tree replacement had previously been one of the casualties of a bad budget year.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to reinstate the Public Works Department’s tree replacement program on Tuesday. Residents have been complaining that trees are being removed but not replaced after the replacement program was suspended due to budget constraints. 

The board approved Public Works' plan to spend $25,000 (half of what was originally asked for during the town budget process) to plant about two dozen trees around town where others have been taken out due to disease or threat to surrounding structures. 

First on the list are trees on West Road that are dangerously close to power lines and which have promoted a barrage of complaints to Public Works. 

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Assistant Public Works Director Tiger Mann says when crews went to inspect the area they found more than 20 trees that needed to be addressed.

"Without a budget to replant, we'd be looking at denuding the area," Mann told the Board of Selectmen. 

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mann said the situation on West Road, which will be the subject of a public hearing on Nov. 4, points to a larger issue. 

"We're firemen. We're having to look at trees based on citizen complaints," he said. 

Public Works is looking for volunteers to help conduct an inventory of the 500,000 trees along New Canaan's roads that fall under the department's jurisdiction. 

 


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