Mattapoisett Tree Warden Roland Cote came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on May 18 to discuss and receive permission for the removal of nine trees at various locations, causing Chairman Tom Tucker to quip, “Will there be any trees left in Mattapoisett when you are done?”
Cote takes the Town’s status as a tree community quite seriously. He studies each questionable tree and assesses its health, wellbeing, and location before determining if removal is necessary.
The trees in question on this night were all in stages of dying with the potential to cause damage to property and residents if left unattended. Even a tree on the Town Hall’s front lawn will be felled.
The trees that will be removed, and in many instances replaced, are four oak trees located at 27 and 28 Ned’s Point Road, one oak tree at 11 River Road, one choke cherry at 5 River Road, one maple at 15 Prospect Road, and one oak at 16 Main Street.
The Planning Board approved one of three trees requested for removal by Eversource at 84 North Street. Eversource will have to provide further proof of the necessity of removal before the board will approve the other two.
Cote said in some instances, as is the case with the tree at Town Hall, some trees are the wrong species to plant in areas where the root systems are under roadways. Such environments, Cote explained, are too harsh for the long reaching roots.
When re-planting trees to replace most of those being removed, Cote said the Tree Committee would evaluate choices to select the best trees for future growing success.
In other business before the board, 7 Industrial Drive LLC received permission to move forward with construction of additional storage units after receiving a letter from Fire Chief Andrew Murray that alarm systems met requirements.
Final plans by G.A.F. Engineering for the stormwater system at the Appaloosa Lane subdivision were submitted by Brian Grady, bringing nearer to closure this much debated housing project.
An informal discussion with Attorney Joan Hurkett regarding property located behind the closed Tokyo Restaurant brought to light the difficulty her clients may have in securing sufficient frontage for this general business use property to be developed.
Hurkett will discuss options with her clients and several other town boards before decisions can be made regarding future development of the parcel.
Also coming before the board were residents of The Village at Mattapoisett in their ongoing efforts to obtain town services in the form of trash collection.
Tucker told the residents that they do have a right to request a public hearing in the matter and will set up the hearing on their behalf. The public hearing will be advertised as required by law.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is schedule for June 1 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
