A request was made to remove two maple trees with a trunk diameter of 24 inches and 35 inches along the frontage of 22 Tannery Road in Southwick where the owner of the property would like to install a driveway. The trees are marked with a green “X” on the trunk. A public hearing will be held October 22 at 7:10 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Conference Room at Town Hall. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Tree Warden Jeffrey Neece and the Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on two requests for tree removals Oct. 22.
The hearing will begin at 7:10 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Conference Room at Town Hall.
Neece said the owner of the Tannery Road property is asking to remove seven trees.
A request was made to remove five oak trees ranging in diameter from 24 inches to 48 inches along the frontage of # 22 Tannery Road and identified with a yellow “X” on the trunk for the purpose of cleaning up the frontage of the property. A second request was made to remove two maple trees with a trunk diameter of 24 inches and 35 inches along the frontage of #22 Tannery Road marked with a green “X” on the trunk for the purpose of placing a driveway as per the approved site plan dated Aug. 16, 2011.
Neece said the purpose of the hearing is to notify the public of the size, type and location of the shade tree or trees to be cut down or removed and entertain comments on the requests.
Neece said the trees are healthy.
“There is nothing physically wrong with any of them,” said Neece. “Two will be removed to make way for a driveway and the rest are for aesthetic purposes.”
Neece said a hearing is necessary because the trees are actually on town property.
“They are within the right of way of the road,” he said. “They’re right at the edge of the road.”
Although the trees are on town property, the town will not pay for removal, added Neece.
Residents are invited to the public hearing and offer any comments on the request. Neece said as tree warden it is his job to “weigh-in” on the request, especially if anyone objects to the project.
