Published May 30, 2019

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The reconstruction of both Peter and Anthony Roads off Haverhill Street is a major project currently underway by the Department of Public Works this building season.

For a number of weeks, old iron water services have been replaced, including those on the town’s side from the street to the homeowners’ box, with other necessary utility work that must be done in advance of a major repaving project of the streets and sidewalks such as will be done in this older subdivision.

MAPLE TREES such as these, planted in the grass strip between the street and sidewalk on Peter Road decades ago, are among the 31 trees slated for removal by the DPW during road and sidewalk reconstruction this summer on Peter and Anthony roads. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

In conjunction with this project, the DPW has identified 31 shade trees currently located in the public way which the department believes must be removed in order to repair the roadway and sidewalks. The tree removal is also proposed to ensure that once completed trees do not compromise either the sidewalks or the roadway in the future.

Under state law (MGL Ch. 87, Section 3), the DPW is required to hold a public hearing whenever even one public shade tree is removed. The public tree hearing for all 31 trees will be held next Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. in Room 14 at Town Hall, 235 North St.

DPW Director Patrick Bower told the Select Board the removal of this number of trees is a downside to this project; however, he explained, “When you plant a tree in a two- to three-foot grass strip, it heaves (and) we have an obligation to build an accessible sidewalk.”

All of the trees flagged for removal have a ribbon tied around them. The majority are located on Peter Road, where they were planted in the grass strip and have caused significant heaving of the sidewalk. Several are already diseased or dying.

Most of the trees on Anthony Road were planted farther off the street than those on Peter, but the houses on both streets in this neighborhood are also situated close to the roadway, which left fewer options to plant trees elsewhere when the subdivision was built.

Those with questions about this process or who may not be sure if the trees near their homes will be impacted by this project may attend the public hearing on June 6 or contact the DPW.