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Medford resident asks council to press DPW for public‑tree hearing on driveway project
Summary
Homeowner Greg Collins asked the Medford City Council to help secure a public hearing after the tree warden denied permission to remove a public shade tree required for his driveway; DPW said hearings are required only when a permit is issued and that the tree warden denied the request.
Homeowner Greg Collins told the Medford City Council on July 15 he needs to remove a public shade tree on Walcott Street to make a driveway work for a new house but has not received a timely response from the Department of Public Works. Collins said he requested a hearing in early May and, after months of silence, engaged an attorney.
The council read a written response from the DPW commissioner explaining that hearings are required only when a permit to remove a public shade tree has been issued; in Collins’ case, the tree warden denied permission and the matter moved to the city solicitor when Collins became represented. The DPW message also noted that the building project began before final engineering approvals such as curb‑cut plans.
Councilor Scarpelli offered to contact the city solicitor and the DPW to try to help expedite communication. Collins said he hopes to maintain a constructive relationship with the city while pursuing necessary approvals.
Next steps: Councilor Scarpelli said he would call the city solicitor and follow up with the petitioner; no formal action was taken.
