Removal of Three of Town’s Oldest Trees on Monday’s Select Board Agenda

March 5, 2022
Bedford Arbor Resources chair Dan Churella and the 18th-century tree ~ Courtesy image (c) 2022 all rights reserved

The Select Board will hear appeals for the preservation of three trees that have been around since the turn of the century – the 18th century.

That was the outcome of a statutory hearing conducted by Tree Warden Dennis Freeman last  Thursday on plans to remove 53 trees that will allow realignment of the intersection of North and Chelmsford Roads and construction of a sidewalk on North Road nearby.

According to state law, the tree warden cannot allow the project to move forward if there are objections, so the issue will land on a Select Board agenda.

Jeanette Rebecchi, transportation program manager for the Department of Public Works, stated at the hearing that the project involves a traffic signal and changes to the intersection’s “geometry.” The planned sidewalk on the east side of North Road from Sweetwater Avenue to Isabella Lane, as well as a bicycle lane, will facilitate access to Job Lane School, Fawn Lake, and Minnie Reid conservation area, she said.

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There were few specific concerns about almost all of the trees planned for removal. The project has been on the agenda of several Bedford Arbor Resources Committee (BARC) meetings. There will be replacement trees planted and $6,500 added to a special tree fund, in line with provisions of the town tree policy.

Bedford Arbor Resources chair Dan Churella and the 18th century tree ~ Courtesy image (c) 2022 all rights reserved

But two trees on North Road and a third on Chelmsford Road – all of them older than almost every structure in Bedford – had several defenders.

Jesse McAleer, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, said in an email read at the hearing that the white oak at 421 North Road “cannot be replaced. Removal of this one tree will destroy an entire ecosystem of flora and fauna. We are doing the next several generations a huge disservice by removing these trees.”

Also communicating by email was Don Marshall, a former BARC member. “I can’t conceive of us doing such a thing and I hope that reason prevails,” he wrote, questioning why a sidewalk at the town’s northern extremity would be a higher priority.

BARC Chair Dan Churella described the tree at 21 Chelmsford Road, which splits into two trunks about four feet from the ground. “The trunk below the split has a diameter about 69 inches – almost six feet. This tree appears to be healthy and there are six feet of room between the tree and the curb,” which he said should accommodate a five-foot sidewalk. Carol Amick also testified at the hearing, urging that the oldest trees be preserved.

Another resident, Robert McClatchey, was recognized during the BARC meeting that followed the hearing. He said he tried unsuccessfully to gain access and testify. “It’s a very frustrating process to work with this system,” he said.

There were a few other speakers who lamented the loss of trees in general for the project. Alan Marshall suggested that fewer trees result in higher vehicle speeds. BARC member Bobbi Tornheim pointed to the value of mature trees in absorbing carbon.

At the request of Public Works Director David Manugian, a consensus of BARC members agreed that the planning for the intersection and related work is in line with the town tree policy, based on plans to plant more than 100 replacement trees and make a modest monetary deposit into a mitigation fund.

Churella pointed out that there’s a “weakness” in the policy – which was painstakingly developed by BARC. “The value of trees does not keep increasing with their size. Unfortunately, it takes 100 years to grow a 100-year-old tree. So many of the benefits of trees come from bigger trees.”

Longtime BARC member Jaci Edwards lamented what she feels is an inherent advantage projects have. There is a pedestrian and bicycle master plan, she said, but no master plan for arbor resources. “It’s skewed, and I think it’s ignoring a large constituency.” She also questioned the demand for the proposed North Road sidewalk.

“I have received several emails about this project, and one of the concerns was the value of removing so many trees and making so much of a financial and environmental impact for a sidewalk that many people question,” she commented. “How many people might actually use that stretch of sidewalk? Did anybody do a study?”

Churella said BARC would like to see “relative costs and benefits of these competing factors become more part of the discussion.”

Churella and Edwards applauded Rebecchi’s efforts. Churella said she “worked hard to save trees wherever possible and arrange for planting replacement trees, working with BARC on a site visit and numerous reviews. “The whole department has been cooperative,” Edwards said.

Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763

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Amy Hamilton
March 5, 2022 8:40 pm

Yes, North Road needs a sidewalk. It is disgraceful that North Road residents must take their lives in their hands to walk, jog, walk the dog or even take mail from the mailbox or put out the trash. I am always appalled that I have to dodge cars daily to be active and to walk my dog as is true for all of my neighbors. It is also disgraceful that the proposed sidewalk will not include my stretch of North Road. This street has the highest speed limit in town, many homes, freight trucks and distracted drivers on their phones. Why anyone would oppose safety for residents is beyond me. Call me to take a walk sometime. I think you will be shocked.

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