As required by Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a public hearing was called as there were appeals objecting to the removal of two (2) trees were received within ten (10) days of the tree postings. A Virtual Public Hearing was held on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. for the trees posted for removal on May 26th, 2021 at 32 Willow Road, Riverside, CT. The removal request was made by the homeowner as part of new driveway egress. The trees requested for removal are as follows
- DBH 23″ Norway Maple
- DBH 10″ Norway Maple
On the day of the tree hearing, Mr. John J. Heagney, of Heagney, Lennon and Slane, LLP Attorneys at Law presented reasons tree removal was necessary. The 32″ Norway Maple is directly in the construction zone, and the 10″ Norway Maple is blocking sightlines.
After careful consideration and having listened objectively to the facts and opinions presented by all parties, I have ruled in the following manner on the posted trees listed above and referenced again below”
It is my decision and have concluded that the two (2) Norway Maples can be removed; with the homeowner’s agreement to replant three (3) trees, shrubs in the manner discussed at the tree hearing and with the additional one (1) tree:
- Two (2) native Dogwood trees, Cornus florida
- One (1) Redbud Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
- Rosebay Rhododendrons, Rhododnedron maximum
- One (1) Sweetgum Tree, Liquidamber styraciflua
Tree Warden’s conditions:
- Planting of four (4) trees; two (2) native Dogwood trees, Cornus florida, one (1) Redbud Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, one (1) Sweetgum Tree Liquidamber styraciflua minimum 3″ caliper size.
- The Rosebay Rhododendrons shall be 30″-36″ in height at installment
- Review of planting plan prior to removal of approved trees
This is the final decision of the Tree Warden of the Town of Greenwich. Let it be known that Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes states “the Tree Warden shall render his/her decision granting or denying the application, and the party aggrieved by such decision may, within ten days, appeal therefrom to the superior court or the judicial district within which such town or borough is located.”
This decision will be posted in the lobby of the offices of the Parks and Recreation Department located on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall, the lobby of Town Hall, the Town Clerk’s office, and the Town of Greenwich website www.greenwichct.gov/Agendacenter. It will also be emailed to those who appealed the posting of these trees for removal.
As your Tree Warden, by Connecticut statute, I am charged with the “care and control” of all town-owned trees. The tree division doesn’t take this responsibility lightly. Each and every tree slated for removal is inspected and decided on a case-by-case basis.
Dr. Gregory Kramer
Superintendent of Parks and Trees and Tree Warden
Town of Greenwich – Department of Parks and Recreation
