The sad truth about Mattapoisett’s tree canopy in the village area is its age. Many, if not all, of the trees that provide shade along the village streets have suffered from storm damage, disease and, yes, even old age. On July 17, the Mattapoisett Planning Board held four public hearings to debate the future of four trees located on Church and Depot streets.
Making that decision isn’t easy. Tree Warden Roland Cote has the task of identifying trees that pose a public threat and then petitioning the Planning Board to hold a public hearing and make a final determination whether or not the tree requires removal.
Present to support Cote’s assertion that trees located at 4 Depot Street, the corner of Church and North streets, 32 Church Street and 34 North Street needed removal was Andrew Joseph of Joseph Tree Service and Sandy Hering, chairman of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee.
Regarding a 20-inch-in-diameter maple tree located at 4 Depot Street, Hering suggested before removing it that the homeowner be asked if they would pay for a certified arborist to assess the tree’s condition despite the tree’s location in the town’s easement. Jim Wheeler, the homeowner in question, said he was not responsible for the tree.
Cote said Norway maple trees only have a lifespan of roughly 30 years before removal is necessary. He, along with Joseph, spoke to the condition of all the maple trees being put on the chopping block this night. After careful review of photographic evidence and firsthand witness statements, all the trees were approved for removal.
In other business, the Planning Board granted a Form A “Approval Not Required” for property located at 117 Fairhaven Road and owned by Daniel Chase. The lot reconfiguration is needed for the erection of a hoop house shed.
An ANR request filed for property located at 5 Industrial Drive for subdivision of a lot was approved.
Before adjournment, Hering asked that additional text from the town’s Tree Committee be added to the pending updated Master Plan. The Planning Board, which oversees the document, has not yet held a public meeting with the Select Board to gain its feedback. Planning Board member Tom Tucker asked Hering to submit the text for inclusion.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 7, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell