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Main Street tree removals will follow MGL 87 public shade‑tree hearings, city tree warden says
Summary
City staff and residents will use Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 public‑shade‑tree hearings to address planned removals for the Main Street renovation; decisions on objections rest with the mayor, the tree warden said.
The Northampton Tree Warden said the trees slated for removal under the Main Street renovation will be considered through public shade‑tree hearings required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 once project plans and a tentative start date are set. "That will happen at the due time," the Tree Warden said.
The hearings were requested by a resident group after design work for the Main Street project identified trees to be removed. The tree warden told the Urban Forestry Commission that residents who want more information should contact the project manager, Carolyn Mish, once the design and schedule are available.
Under MGL 87, the tree warden said, objections to a proposed removal shift final authority to the local officers who are the statute's decisionmakers. "...the sole decision rests with the that particular set of officers," the Tree Warden said, explaining that in Northampton the mayor is the deciding officer if objections are lodged.
Commission members and staff said they expect public comment at the hearing and that there will be "some spirited conversations" when the project reaches that stage. The tree warden said staff have been coordinating with the Main Street design team on planting sites and species choices but that final species and planting timing depend on availability and the project schedule.
No formal action was taken at the June 4 meeting on the Main Street removals; the tree warden described the timetable and legal process and directed residents to the project manager for project‑level questions.
The commission did not set dates for hearings at the meeting; it will monitor the Main Street project schedule and announce hearings once plans are complete.
