How can I get a hazardous or dead tree removed from along the Town road?
Trees along the Town’s right of way are property of the Town and in a sense are the Town’s responsibility. If one of them becomes hazardous to the public (dead, dying, leaning towards the road, dropping limbs on the road, etc.) the Town will prune it or remove it. Often times the electric company will remove these trees for the Town as they generally present a hazard to the electric wires in the area as well. Before any Town tree greater than eight inches in diameter is removed, it must be posted with a “notice of tree removal” sign. Any person objecting to the tree’s removal can express their objections and in some cases a public hearing is held by the Town’s Tree Warden, who then decides if the tree goes or stays. Town trees can also be removed for “private” purposes such as driveway sightlines, hazards to homes and yards, etc. The same posting and notification rules apply to all Town trees, although trees to be removed for private purposes are generally not removed at Town expense.
