Andover Footnotes

…and Oppose Taylor Cove’s Progress

About 15 people showed up tonight for the tree hearing, but only one or two letters were received by Superintendent of Parks Randy Pickersgill. He and his boss, Joe Piantedosi, will be making a decision on whether these trees—all located on town property—should be cut down to make way for the Taylor Cove driveway and related traffic site lines.

Randy said that people could still send letters for consideration. The decision will be made by next Tuesday or Wednesday, so sending a letter this week would be ideal.

Randy’s email address is RPickersgill@AndoverMA.gov. You can also mail a letter to him at the Town Offices. His official title is Superintendent of Parks.

A citizen who works to promote sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the town of Andover just shared a note she received from another resident environmentalist.

It seems that the developer’s plan to cut down many mature shade trees in order to build the Taylor Cove development has kicked in a state shade-tree article which states, in part, “…public shade trees shall not be cut, trimmed or removed, in whole or in part, by any person other than the tree warden or his deputy, even if he be the owner of the fee in the land on which such tree is situated.”

And also “Tree wardens shall not…grant a permit for the cutting down or removal of a public shade tree if, at or before a public hearing as provided in the preceding section, objection in writing is made by one or more persons, unless such cutting or removal or permit to cut or remove is approved by the selectmen or by the mayor.”

Following is an excerpt from the note that my friend received and shared, including information about the town hearing:

“…I’m also letting you know about the tree hearing next Wednesday night regarding the Todd Wacome 40B development on River St., Ballardvale. Don’t know much about it, but a lot of trees will give their life for a driveway, from what I hear. See below…

“TOWN OF ANDOVER NOTICE PUBLIC MEETING TREE HEARING
Under Chapter 87, Sections 3 and 4, of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Public Hearing will be held to consider the removal of three 14 inch diameter White Oak trees and eleven 10-24 inch diameter Red Oak trees located directly across the street from 83 River St. (Proposed 40B subdivision). The public meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Dec.16th in the Selectmen’s Conference Room, Third Floor, Andover Town Offices, 36 Bartlet Street.”