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Date: 6/30/2021
NORTHAMPTON – Despite residents of Warfield Place in Northampton creating a petition to prevent a paving project to save a row of cherry trees in the neighborhood, the paving project will continue forward as planned.
Because the construction contract has been signed, Northampton Department of Public Works Director Donna LaScaleia wrote over email the project will move forward as proposed.
She added that the trees would be removed because they suffered both insect and fungal damage and are at the end of their lives.
“The cherry trees have fungal pathogens which have caused central trunk decay. There are hollow cavities in the trees and there is also secondary insect damage. The trees have exceeded their maximum rooting space and are at the end of their lives,” LaScaleia wrote.
Along with removing the cherry trees, the city will also be removing plants in the city’s right of way on the street.
“The trees will be removed, and the street will be replanted once the sidewalk is installed, and a new tree belt can be established. The trees selected will be appropriately sized for the space. The other flowers and perennials have been planted in the city’s right of way. We will work with the residents so that the contractor can complete the project,” she wrote.
In terms of the work for the project, LaScaleia wrote it includes a new crosswalk.
“A crosswalk will be installed at the right angle turn in the street to connect the north side walkway (on the east-west section of the street) to the west side walkway on the north-south section of the street,” she wrote.
To accommodate new tree planting for the project, LaScaleia wrote that a portion of one of the sidewalks would be removed.
“The sidewalk on the south side of the east-west leg of the street will be removed to allow for tree planting within the city right of way,” she wrote.
Along with the crosswalks and actual paving, LaScaleia wrote the project includes several American Disability Act (ADA) accommodations.
“A new ADA compliant sidewalk will be installed on the north side of the east-west section of the street. New ADA sidewalk ramps will be installed at both ends of the new crosswalk, the Prospect Street intersection and the Finn Street intersection,” she wrote.
LaScaleia added the project will begin later this summer and is set to be completed before the end of the construction season.