Commission says National Grid owns much of Florence bikeway right‑of‑way; planting there faces limits

The Tree Warden told the commission that most of the Florence bike path (former rail bed) outside the Nagle Walkway is owned by National Grid and that the utility retains the right to remove vegetation to install or maintain infrastructure. "If National Grid wanted to do something, they have the right to come in and actually take everything down," the Tree Warden said.

Commission members said volunteers Tom Bassett and Bob Haxby placed stakes along sections of the bikeway; the Tree Warden said he would contact Bassett to identify National Grid contacts before the commission commits to planting at the staked locations. "I called Tom today to try to get ahold of him to talk to him about it to try to figure out see who he's contacted National Grid," the Tree Warden said.

The commission noted that parts of the path (the Nagle Walkway) are city‑owned and managed by the Park and Recreation Commission, where plantings have occurred under existing easements. Other sections are in National Grid ownership, where the city holds an easement for the paved way and utilities but not full property ownership.

The commission said National Grid has in the past allowed plantings on some corridor segments but that a formal agreement may still leave the utility the ability to remove trees when it needs to. The Tree Warden said this complicates planning because the utility may not sign an agreement limiting future removals.

No decision to plant on the staked sections was taken at the meeting; staff will follow up with volunteers and National Grid contacts before any planting is scheduled.