Decision Reached On Future Of Hamilton Avenue School Trees

GREENWICH, CT — Six trees at Hamilton Avenue School will be spared the ax, following a decision reached Tuesday by Deputy Tree Warden Steve Gospodinoff for the trees not to be removed.

The proposal to cut down the trees, five Black Pines and one Colorado Blue Spruce, was the subject of a public hearing last week in which opposition to removing them appeared to be strong, according to Gospodinoff's decision letter.

Construction company Pecora Bros., which is working on a housing project next to the school, had requested the trees be removed, and offered to replace the trees with 10 Armstrong Maple trees if the request had been approved.

"The five (5) Black Pine and one (1) Colorado Blue Spruce are in relatively good shape I do not see a reason at this time that these six ( 6) trees need to be removed," Gospodinoff wrote. "At this time these trees do not pose a risk to the traveling public. It is my decision not to remove these trees at this time."

Below is the text of Gospodinoff's decision letter:

A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, April 11, 2019, at 12:00 pm for trees posted for removal at Hamilton A venue School - 184 Hamilton A venue. Five Black Pines ranging from 13" DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) to 18" DBH. One Colorado Blue Spruce with a DBH of 12" located on the North side of Hamilton Avenue School. As required by Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a public hearing was called because of numerous appeals objecting to the removal of these trees were received within ten ( 1 0) days of their posting. The tree removals were requested by Pecora Bros.

Letters of objection were read into the record. Comments were made by participants objecting to the removals. Sylvester Pecora of Pecora brothers presented a replanting plan suggesting; ten (1 0) Armstrong Maples, as well as, others be planted if removal was approved.

The five (5) Black Pine and one (1) Colorado Blue Spruce are in relatively good shape I do not see a reason at this time that these six ( 6) trees need to be removed. At this time these trees do not pose a risk to the traveling public. It is my decision not to remove these trees at this time.

This is the final decision of the Tree Warden ofthe 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 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 ofthe Parks and Recreation Department located on the 2nd floor ofthe Town Hall, the lobby of Town Hall, the Town Clerk's office, and the Town of Greenwich website https://www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter Parks & Recreation- Public Tree Hearing. It will also be sent to persons present at the Public Hearing and 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.