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Council approves removal of four hazardous trees across Somerset
Summary
After a phone report from the town arborist describing hazards at four addresses, the council approved block consideration to remove two hazardous public trees and two hazardous private trees; one councilor asked about a backlog and the arborist said two removals require utility (PEPCO) assistance.
The Somerset Town Council on Aug. 26 approved four tree-removal permits — two public and two private — after the town arborist reported decay and structural hazards.
The arborist (on the phone) summarized the findings: a 3-inch dogwood at 5454 Surrey is dying; a 28-inch red maple at 5415 Surrey has decay in the main trunk and is hazardous; a 16-inch juniper at 4709 Cumberland has main-trunk decay; and a multi-stem white oak at 5519 Effingham (transcribed as Effingham/Upingham) is splitting at the base and hazardous.
Property owner Irene Kukios, who applied for removal at her address, said the inspected tree is decaying at the trunk, has had a major limb removed, is leaning over her roof and she needs gutter repairs, and she supports removal for safety.
Councilors asked whether previously approved town trees were being removed and whether a backlog existed; the arborist said removals are being addressed methodically and that two trees will require assistance from the utility (PEPCO). The council moved and approved the four permits on block consideration.
Next steps: The town will coordinate removals, including PEPCO assistance where needed; owners and the arborist have a recorded plan for maintenance and removal as indicated during the hearing.
