Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Stockbridge committee seeks CPC funds to remove hazardous black walnut tree
Summary
The advisory committee weighed options for a black walnut tree that threatens the small-dog area — removal (estimated $5,000–$6,000), temporary closure during fruiting, or limb trimming — and agreed to apply for a Community Preservation Committee grant with applications due Nov. 15; temporary plastic fencing will be installed.
Michael Bolognino, chair of the West Stockbridge Dog Park Advisory Committee, said the park still needs benches and has a hazardous black walnut tree near the small-dog area that sheds fruit and poses a safety risk. He told members the three options are to remove the tree (estimated $5,000–$6,000), close the small-dog park during the roughly two-week fruiting season, or remove limbs over the fenced area.
Jackie Murray said she had spoken with the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which might consider funding removal; the committee agreed to apply for a CPC grant (applications are due Nov. 15). The group also discussed interim measures: Renee McCormick asked whether the tree could be approached from outside the park to avoid damage and costlier work inside the fenced area; Roni Kramer proposed installing a temporary barrier around the tree. The committee agreed to barricade the tree now with plastic snow fencing until removal can be scheduled. Bolognino added that the Thorne family had expressed interest in taking the wood if the tree is removed.
Why it matters: the committee said the tree is a near-term safety concern for small dogs and people in the fenced area and that removal would be more complex (and costly) than a typical tree removal. The committee chose to pursue outside funding through the CPC to avoid placing the full expense on the 501(c)(3) or on the town. The committee will prepare cost estimates for the CPC application and follow up with the CPC before the Nov. 15 deadline.
What’s next: the committee will prepare the CPC application and a cost estimate for removal, install temporary plastic fencing around the tree, and seek local contractors or volunteers to handle removal if funding is secured.
