Committee tables decision on Mount Hope Avenue tree after safety and legal questions

The committee paused action on removing a large tree on Mount Hope Avenue after members raised safety, legal and utility concerns.

Pia, a committee participant, told colleagues that a trip-and-fall claim submitted for a Conant Street location was denied as it was filed past the allowable time frame with the law department. "They put in a claim to the law department, but it was past the time frame," Pia said, prompting questions about whether the committee must follow state notice rules before removing large trees.

Staff warned that the Mount Hope tree is wrapped around power wires and sits adjacent to a driveway, making sidewalk ramping or other engineering solutions impractical. The staff member said the city’s crews cannot perform work within the required safety distance of power lines and "we always have to go off to National Grid to trim away," meaning a utility contractor would need to clear lines before city trimming could proceed.

Committee members debated trimming versus removal and whether taking the tree down would damage the driveway or simply eliminate a long-standing canopy. One member who moved to table explained the need for more information and a site visit. "My motion is to table this and look into it further," the committee member said. The motion to table was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Committee members also noted the city’s tree ordinance and a longstanding lack of a paid tree warden. One member said the city has not consistently followed its tree ordinance and that an informal staff contact, Chris, has handled tree decisions in practice. Members agreed to seek legal guidance, coordinate with National Grid for any work in the wires, and conduct an on-site inspection before making a final removal decision.