Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rocky Hill Greenway topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State greenway work will remove trees on Ice Pond Drive; commission held public shade‑tree hearings
Summary
Northampton staff said several trees along Ice Pond Drive were approved for removal after public shade‑tree hearings to accommodate a Rocky Hill Greenway sidewalk widening and because existing tree roots would be exposed and destabilized.
City staff said trees along Ice Pond Drive will be removed as part of a state roadway/greenway project to widen a sidewalk and connect to the Rocky Hill Greenway.
Rich Parasolini, Northampton’s tree warden, told the commission he had met with the state DOT project manager and the contractor and that the city held public shade‑tree hearings for the trees to be removed. Parasolini described the site and the reason for removals: “the trees...would be exposed to just a exposed period, and the trees wouldn't be able to, they wouldn't be able to stay there. They would just end up falling over, so we decided to to remove them.”
Parasolini said the project involves land the city owns adjacent to a Tennessee Gas easement and that the multiuse trail alignment requires widening on one side, which will affect several street trees. He confirmed that public shade‑tree hearings were conducted months earlier and that contractors have been engaged for the work.
The commission noted the removals followed the city’s public hearing process for public shade trees and that removed trees will be documented for future replacement where feasible. Parasolini said residents who travel that corridor or use the Rocky Hill Greenway may notice ongoing work and that the city will coordinate with the state project manager on timing and replacement planning.
Less critical detail: commissioners noted visibility of the embankment and that some work will relate to an existing stormwater connection designed to accept overflow in large storm events.
