Madison Needs A Tree Ordinance!
Most of our neighbors not only have Tree Ordinances, they also have Tree Committees to help support the Tree Warden dealing with Eversource, planting Street Trees and answering citizen questions.
Here is an example of a Specimen tree being removed unnecessarily due to unclear guidance. A tree ordinace would have helped save this rare American Elm - a tree once synonomous with the Boston Post Road in our Town.
This 200 year old Black Walnut was located behind the former Elizabeth's Cafe. The building plans specifically called for this tree to be protected & preserved during the expansion of the septic field in front of it. An uncertified contractor decided it was unhealthy and in the way. And by the way, coincidently, the Black Walnut tree was a favorite of our Town's namesake - James Madison.
Clear Cutting must be better regulated!
Eversource removed countless acres of tree canopy over the last few years across Madison. In some cases, residents were not given a fair option to replace trees with better options.
There are plans to clear cut both sides of the eastern most side of New Rd. The southern section has already happened but there are no current plans to complete this part of the project. There are a number of rare American Chestnuts in these ~10 acres of woods.
A couple of acres on a slope alongside Race Hill Rd have been cleared on either side of Dowd Hollow Brook. The hope is that in the future, developers like this would be required to replant trees to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion into the neighboring pond down stream.