Re: "City to clearcut all 34 Ferry Ave. 90-year-old maples" May 17 Star

We have an uncountable loss for our Town. Yet again, betwixt the battle our sidewalks and our trees.  That said, we can now announce, on Arbor Day, April 28th, 2023, the celebration for the destruction of two blocks of beautiful mature majestic Maples… brought down by the metaphorical axe.

Kiss goodbye the savored shade, gone too are the uncountable nesting birds… the frogs and the crickets, the playful squirrels – all gone now.  The budding shades of green in the spring, the bright colors in the fall, the whispers through the wind – they too, are gone.

Even if as a blessing of ignorance, or possibly an unthoughtful and unwritten acclamation, we are damaged.  Just reclaim the history of it, vet a bit – think for a bit. Some look for the big picture and others fret by convenience. In this case, the convenience of an Axe.

For a city “sidewalk” project, in a historical neighborhood, replete with a plethora of mature trees, defines it all! Where were the arborist’s consideration(s) before the axe fell? Where was/were the plans & planning, the design(s) & engineering, the codes & policies?  Where were/are the approvals of the funding agencies?  Where were the construction contractors? It seems that there are a lot of errors and omissions to pass out!

Yes, you can replant … but at what cost and at what/whose budget? AND, the fiscal (and environmental) cost of a vegetive synchronized plan, in a well-established neighborhood, is nearly impossible.

As always, I remain…

F. Gregory Wilder, retired Mayor (2014-2018)