Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Atlantic Avenue Sidewalk topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sidewalk work near two historic elms on Atlantic Avenue halted after tree-root concerns
Summary
Participants said sidewalk contractors stopped short of two historic elms on Atlantic Avenue. A homeowner refused to permit a sidewalk behind one tree, and speakers said continued work could damage tree roots; the committee expects the layout to remain unchanged for now.
Residents and committee members reported that sidewalk restoration work on Atlantic Avenue stopped before two historic elm trees after concerns about root damage and a homeowner’s refusal to allow construction around one tree.
"They stopped the curbing a ways away from each of the elms that kind of are right on the street," said a meeting participant, describing the contractor’s decision to leave setbacks around the trees. Attendees said the sidewalks now sit closer to the trees than earlier in the project but are not flush against trunks.
Meeting participants said the homeowner would not permit a sidewalk to pass around the back of one tree, and speakers expressed doubt that further work would continue there without agreement. "They might have stopped every other day before they really damaged the tree," a participant said, noting that some of the earlier work was halted to avoid harming roots.
Speakers concluded the unusual sidewalk alignment would likely remain as-is — visually awkward but protective of tree roots — unless a new resolution is negotiated between the town and the homeowner. Attendees asked to monitor any additional planning or contractor notices and to document tree health going forward.
Ending: Committee members said they will keep watching the Atlantic Avenue work and the trees’ condition and will report if the homeowner or the town reaches a different agreement.
