The Department of Public Works conducted a Tree Hearing on Thursday,
September 10, 2015. The Tree Hearing was held at the Swampscott Town Hall,
located at 22 Monument Ave, Swampscott, Massachusetts at 2:00 p.m.
Present were:
Gene Gardiner, Tree Warden
Gino Cresta Jr., Director of Public Works
Case #1: Regarding the Silver Maple tree at 171 Burrill Street. Mr. Cresta read an
email from Susan Diehl, of 171 Burrill Street, requesting the tree be removed due
to its roots invading her sewer system and its otherwise poor health. Mr. Gardiner
stated that the tree was relatively healthy and its removal would be considered a
convenience. It was Mr. Gardiner’s recommendation that if Mrs. Diehl wanted the
tree removed she would need to purchase a replacement tree to be planted in the
general proximity of 171 Burrill Street.
Case #2: Regarding the maple tree at 10 Clarke Road. Mr. Gardiner stated that he
had been contacted by the Swampscott Police Department to evaluate the condition
of the tree. He noted that the tree had been pruned several times in the past and its
butt was now close to being completely hollow. It was thus Mr. Gardiner’s
recommendation for the tree to be removed as soon as possible.
Case #3: Regarding the pear tree at 23 Elwin Street. Mr. Gardiner stated that upon
initial inspection the tree appeared to be relatively healthy. However upon closer
examination the tree has a very large split on the non street side of the butt. Mr.
Gardiner considered this a hazard and it was his recommendation for the tree to be
removed as soon as possible.
Case #4: Regarding the maple tree at 374 Forest Ave. Mr. Cresta read an email
from Randall Hughes, of 374 Forest Ave, requesting the tree be removed due to the
fact that it had lost several large branches over the past year, and his concern that
his children could be harmed by a falling branch. Mr. Gardiner stated that due to
the tree loosing many limbs over the years it was now one sided and leaning
notably toward the resident’s house. Mr. Gardiner also noted that the tree was on a
heavily traveled route to the Swampscott Middle School. Therefore, it was Mr.
Gardiner’s recommendation that the tree be removed.
Case #5: Regarding the maple tree at 20 Greenwood Terrace. Mr. Gardiner noted
that the butt of the tree was hollow and that it did not leaf out this past year. Mr.
Gardiner believed the tree to be completely dead. It was his recommendation that
the tree be taking down as soon as possible.
Case #6: Regarding the cherry tree at 22 Lexington Circle. Mr. Gardiner stated that
he had visited this tree many times over the last several years and it had lost
numerous limbs. He noted that the two neighboring abutters were families with
small children and their concern was that one of the children may be injured by a
falling limb. Mr. Gardiner recommended that the tree be taking down due to a
large split in the tree’s butt and a large dead leader that once removed would leave
the remainder of the tree one sided.
Case #7: Regarding the maple tree at the corner of Millett Road and Oak Road.
Mr. Cresta read a letter from Mr. Brian Watson, 20 Oak Road, stating that if the
tree was not deemed a hazard he would like to have the tree pruned in an effort to
preserve it. Mr. Gardiner acknowledged that the tree contained some dead wood
but otherwise was in fact relatively healthy. Therefore, Mr. Gardiner recommended
pruning the dead wood and removing the low hanging branches while continuing
to monitor the tree during the upcoming winter months.
Case #8: Regarding the maple tree at 19 Roy Street. Mr. Cresta read an email from
Mr. John Mannel, 19 Roy Street, stating his belief that the tree was dead and
presented a hazard to anyone visiting, or passing by his home. Mr. Cresta noted
that the tree had been considered for removal at a prior tree hearing on September
6, 2012. However, due to a neighboring resident’s objection to the tree being
taking down it was allowed to stand. Mr. Gardiner stated that the butt of the tree
was now encompassed with mushrooms, and in his estimation 90% dead. His
recommendation was for the tree to be removed.
Case #9: Regarding the maple tree at the corner of Stetson Ave and Essex Street.
Mr. Gardiner stated that the tree leans slightly into the right-of-way and has a piece
of sheet metal lodged in its butt. However, other than that and the fact that it
contained some dead wood was otherwise healthy. It was Mr. Gardiner’s
recommendation that the tree be pruned and continued to be monitored.
At 2:45 p.m. Mr. Gardiner made a motion to adjourn.