Wheelabrator Funds to 'Green' the Town

North Andover may be a little greener soon, thanks to grants from Wheelabrator.

Selectmen voted unanimously to accept grants from Wheelabrator for three environmental improvement projects related to a settlement between Wheelabrator and the town last year.

Selectman Bill Gordon abstained from the vote, because he had opposed accepting part of the Wheelabrator settlement last year due to details about liability in the settlement.

Last year, reached a over alleged environmental law violations in North Andover, Saugus and other communities. And North Andover

And also as part of the settlement, Wheelabrator is funding three environmental initiatives in town.

Surface Water Overflow Study: $50,000

This project will study and design a culvert replacement for Great Pond Road at Rea's Pond and Lake Cochichewick, where flooding and road closures for repairs have been of concern for years. The Wheelabrator funding of $50,000 will be used for study, design and permitting so the town can then apply for state grants moving forward. This is expected to be completed by October.

Tree Planting: $25,000

This project will install between 30 and 40 new trees around town. Trees have had to be removed over the years for various reasons, and the town hasn't had the funds to replace them. This is expected to be completed by next April.

The plan so far calls for:

• 6 trees at Carl Thomas Playground -- London plaintrees, tuliptrees and zelkova.
• 14 trees at Grogan's Playground -- 10 red oaks and 4 sugar maple.
• 4 Tuliptrees at Reynolds Playground.
• 6 trees at McEvoy Playground -- red oaks and zelkovas.
• 1 Japanese lilac tree on Forest Street
• 3 Japanese lilacs on Bradstreet Road.

Trash Truck Monitoring Project: $75,000

For this project, the Health Department will consult a firm to design and install a video and audio system to monitor waste disposal trucks coming in and out of town via recycling facilities on Holt Road, where Wheelabrator is located. This is expected to be completed by next winter.