Town puts new focus on tree cutting along Interstate 95
GREENWICH — With construction work slated to begin along the entire length of Interstate 95 in town next year, First Selectman Fred Camillo has set up a new committee to make sure the state Department of Transportation hears the concerns of local residents when it comes to cutting down trees.
“This is forward thinking,” Camillo said. “We want to know what’s going on going forward and have some input and say on any kind of tree-clearing but also to see if we can mitigate some of the damage that has been done to our landscape.”
The DOT is planning to begin a project in the fall of 2022 along I-95, starting at the New York State border and going all the way to Exit 6 in Stamford.
The 6.6-mile project will include rehabilitating pavement and bridges, improving storm drainage and upgrading guardrails and concrete barriers. The deceleration lane at Exit 3 in central Greenwich will also be widened and extended to “provide operational improvements,” DOT said.
The start date is subject to the state securing all of the proper permits.
And with work on I-95, Camillo said he wants the town to have input — particularly when it comes to trees. He said he wants to address the upcoming project as well as past work, when trees were clear-cut along I-95.
“There needs to be a measured approach where there is a clear line of communication,” Camillo said. “I want to make sure they’re hearing updates on what’s happening and they in turn can update others in the town.”
He added, “We want to make sure these kinds of projects do not go where they’re not needed.”
The new committee, which first met earlier this month, was formed because Camillo said he was getting so much feedback on the project. He said he has already talked to the town Department of Public Works and Deputy DPW Commissioner James Michel and with state Reps. Stephen Meskers, D-150, and Harry Arora, R-151.
Michel, Arora and Meskers are on the I-95 committee along with JoAnn Messina, executive director of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy; and representatives of neighborhood associations from Byram, Milbrook, Riverside, Old Greenwich, south Cos Cob and others.
The committee’s goal is to gather all viewpoints and report back to the state DOT. Camillo said this approach will be more focused as residents flood him, Meskers and Arora with emails.
“I want to hear all of these ideas,” Camillo said at the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting. “I want to have the neighborhood associations and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy and any other interested group or organization be represented.”
The first meeting went well with a “nice crosssection” of stakeholders involved, Messina said. The tree conservancy is concerned about the DOT’s tree-cutting along I-95, both past and future, she said.
“We will need remediation for the clear-cutting that’s already taken place as well as set a unified goal with DOT for our roadways and railways,” Messina said. Michel is drafting a letter to send to the DOT on the topic, she said.
“Hopefully the fact that it is coming from the committee means they will be paying attention. We do feel they are listening to us right now,” Messina said.
Camillo said he hopes that once a month a DOT official would speak with and update the group.
In January, the DOT held a virtual public meeting about the I-95 project. It can be viewed at dotvideo.ct.gov/PM/00560316PIM.mp4.