Greenwich Tree Warden Issues Ruling On 188 Trees Slated For Removal At Central MS

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Tree Warden Dr. Gregory Kramer has ruled that the 188 trees posted for removal at the Central Middle School campus can come down, but with six conditions.

A public tree hearing was held on May 15 after the Greenwich Tree Conservancy objected to the removal of the trees, which town and project officials say is necessary to accommodate construction of a new middle school at 9 Indian Rock Lane.

During the hearing, the majority of speakers said removing the trees was about ensuring safety and maintaining clear sightlines to adhere to the Sandy Hook statute known as the School Security Infrastructure Criteria.

Some of the oldest and biggest trees tapped for removal are located on and around the iconic rock outcropping on the campus, which is also proposed to be demolished. The rock outcropping was a major talking point during the hour and 15-minute hearing, and it's something Kramer has been against in the past.

Greenwich Tree Conservancy Executive Director Katie Dzikiewicz said the group understands the concerns about safety in the new building, but she urged officials to preserve as many mature trees as possible.

Stephen Martocchio, who is with SLAM Collaborative, the architects for the CMS project, said a planting plan would add back over 300 trees and 600 shrubs on the 22-acre site. Martocchio said the trees that will be planted will have a caliper size from "small" up to 6 inches.

"The landscape plan has been well vetted and the landscape architects have been responsive to change requests in plant material," Kramer said in his ruling. "Thus, as tree warden, I will grant the removal of all one 188 trees with the following conditions."

1. There is to be a two-year maintenance agreement with the contractor that will provide watering for all of the landscape material for two years starting from the first planting and only ending after two years from when the last plant is planted. This is to also include providing any horticultural needs within the same timeline deemed or determined necessary by the Parks and Tree Department staff. All plantings are to be free of weeds at all times. The agreement for this term is to be in writing and provided to the Department of Parks and Recreation and Planning and Zoning Department.
2. Vegetation replacement which includes 306 trees is to be planted according to the agreed landscape plan. Any changes to numbers, sizes, species, variety, or location is to be discussed with the tree warden and approved prior to making changes.
3. There is to be a landscaping budget line item created, and the monies allocated are funding specific to landscaping. The budgeted money would be held in escrow and can be retained by the Department of Parks and Recreation - Parks and Trees Division.
4. Tree survey number 1459 is listed as a 2-inch caliper Bald Cypress. This tree should be transplanted and either incorporated into the landscape design or moved off the property to one of the Town of Greenwich Parks at the discretion of the tree warden.
5. Construction staging is to be away from all remaining trees and extensive guidelines will need to be implemented and enforced in order to protect remaining trees. Plans need to be shared with the tree warden prior to staging approval (as per the specifications for The Protection of Shade Trees During Construction Revised: February 2016).
6. Posted trees approved for removal should remain in the landscape as long and feasible as possible in order to maximize their continuing environmental benefits.

An objection to Kramer's ruling may be made to the Stamford Superior Court within 10 days.