Conservation commission approves West Street pole work; requires public-right-of-way trees to be pollarded for habitat

The Uxbridge Conservation Commission on Oct. 6 approved a notice of intent from Mass Electric Company (represented by BSC Group) to install utility poles on West Street, adding a special condition that trees in the public right-of-way be pollarded to approximately 15 feet when feasible to create snag habitat and preserve wildlife value.

What was presented: Mass Electrics representative reported the company had returned to the site with a forestry team after the commissions site visit. The forestry team advised that for trees located on the public roadway, pollarding (leaving a 15-foot high snag) is possible in many places rather than cutting to the stump. For mature trees off the public right-of-way the foresters said there was less likelihood of successful resprouting and recommended full removal for safety reasons in some instances (transcript SEG 669SEG 696).

Emerald ash borer findings: The Mass Electric representative told the commission crews observed signs consistent with emerald ash borer on the ash trees designated for removal and that the canopy condition indicated many of those trees were failing and likely to die within five to eight years (transcript SEG 701SEG 723). The representative said photographs and arborist notes were available from the forestry consultant who inspected the site.

Why the commission added the pollarding condition: Commissioners emphasized the difference between trees on town right-of-way (where the commission can set conditions) and trees on private property (where landowner permission controls treatment). After discussion, the commission motioned to issue a standard order of conditions with a special condition that trees located in the public right-of-way be pollarded to roughly 15 feet to serve as snag habitat; the motion was moved, seconded and approved (transcript SEG 990SEG 1019).

Private property and landowner permissions: The commission recorded that for trees where the base lies on private property but the canopy encroaches over the right-of-way, Mass Electric had already sought landowner permission for removal and that decisions about final disposition of those removed trees would be made in concert with the landowners (transcript SEG 953SEG 961).

Provenance: The West Street pole discussion and vote are documented starting at SEG 621, the forestry and ash-borer observations are in the transcript around SEG 699SEG 723, and the motion and vote appear at SEG 989SEG 1019.

Ending: The permit carries standard appeal rights; Mass Electric said it will return with any jurisdictional changes that affect resource areas and will coordinate with forestry crews before construction begins.