By Alice Waugh
The Department of Public Works will host a December 19 public hearing to discuss the fate of several roadside trees that have been slated for removal for public safety purposes.
Twelve of the 28 trees within the town’s roadside rights of way have been targeted because they interfere with sight lines at the intersection of Route 117 and Lincoln Road, where 12 are targeted adjacent to 203 Lincoln Rd. Others were tagged because they are dead. The specific trees are listed on the notice of the hearing, where residents with any comments or objections to the removals may speak. The hearing will be held at 8 p.m. at the DPW headquarters at 30 Lewis St.
Any trees cut down by the DPW will be brought in segments (unsplit) to its Lewis Street site, where residents are welcome to take them for firewood or other purposes. If a contractor is hired, that company will haul away the wood, said DPW head Chris Bibbo.
Branches from trees as well as many others that were removed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and other storms are also available in the form of wood chips at the DPW. Anyone with a Lincoln transfer station sticker may take wood chips and logs.