Fact: We love our trees, and we are sure we’re not alone in that regard. Fact: Multiple groups of Bromfield students run up and down the path/sidewalk from the high school parking lot to the pond on school days at the start of their practices, as well as members of the Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing team. Residents like us walk alone or with their dogs regularly. As beautiful as those surroundings are, we couldn’t help noticing that more than a few of the large trees along and/or hanging over the path were dead and therefore a significant safety hazard.
In our view, nothing is more important than safety, so we sent an email to our town tree warden, JC Ferguson, on Sept. 6. As a result of JC’s efforts and persistence, approximately 18 dead trees have been removed and no longer threaten anyone’s safety, whether they were aware of the danger or not. From what we understand, it wasn’t easy determining which branch (no pun intended) of town government had jurisdiction and authority to remove the trees. We were advised that town counsel had a role, as well as the Parks and Recreation Commission, led by Doug Thornton; Town Administrator Tim Bragan; and the Department of Public Works. We’re told that a remediation plan was needed due to proximity to the pond. That, and a request for funds to replace the removed trees, have been made to the Community Preservation Committee led by Didi Chadran. It took the dedicated collaboration of our town government entities to get this issue taken care of.
Thank you, one and all, for your dedication to our town’s beautiful environment and to our collective safety.
Mark and Sue Weber
Bolton Road
