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Date: 6/29/2022
AGAWAM — “I’m not going to smile, because this is serious,” said Diane Tower as she stood for a photo beside a massive American elm tree in front of her house at 494 River Rd., Agawam.
“The tree will be removed,” said Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) communications director Kristen Pennucci, via email.
For Tower, the tree is the main source of shade for the small cedar-shingled home where she has lived for the past 30 years, as well as a valuable habitat for local birds.
For MassDOT, “This particular tree is between the roadway and the sidewalk and the roots are undermining the existing sidewalk. The roots are making the sidewalk uneven and a trip hazard.”
As part of a state project to replace the sidewalks on River Road from School Street to Main Street, MassDOT has spraypainted an orange “X” on the trunk of the tree, indicating it will be removed.
Tower has affixed her own sign to the tree, a piece of paper with the plea “Please save this tree!!!”
“I see this as a David and Goliath moment, and I hope I can be David,” said Tower.
The Connecticut River Walk pedestrian and bike path runs on the opposite side of River Road. MassDOT did not respond to a question about if alternatives to removing the tree had been explored.