Tree hearing on Tom Nevers bike path continued to select board after residents object to cutting trees

The Tree Advisory Committee on Nantucket continued a hearing on proposed removal of town-owned trees along Tom Nevers Road after residents objected to planned cutting for a new bike path.

Committee members and Department of Public Works staff described the project as a long‑range, town‑funded bike path whose preferred alignment keeps a grass buffer between the roadway and the path. Drew (DPW staff) told the committee that "the design that has been approved and is being progressed towards bidding and construction is a bike path that is separate from the road." He said final design and permitting are underway and that some trees would need to be removed because permanent improvements will remain in the public right of way.

The hearing drew several neighbors and property owners. Mango Jatambruzak, speaking on behalf of the Bermans at 98 Tom Nevers Road, told the committee the cherry trees along that stretch "are healthy trees that are really the only town trees on this stretch of Tom Nevers Road" and asked the committee to deny removal. Resident Janet Sherwin of 120 Tom Nevers Road urged the committee to consider a bike lane instead of a separated path, saying, "I don't think it's necessary because I think a bike lane is really the right answer for this stretch of Tom Nevers Road." Gregory O'Shea, an owner at 10 Tom Nevers Road, said he and his family would "definitely" consider granting an easement to preserve trees if the town supplies specific details on how much land would be required.

The committee and staff outlined the options discussed: the path could be aligned adjacent to the road (which likely would damage root zones), placed with a grass buffer as currently preferred, or routed behind the trees on private property (which would require permanent easements). DPW staff said there may also be temporary construction easements where final grading requires brief private‑property access. Several committee members recommended that homeowners consider transplanting trees back inside private property lines as a way to retain canopies while allowing the preferred path alignment to proceed; committee members emphasized that transplantation would likely be at the homeowner's expense.

Charlie, identified in the hearing as the town tree warden, said the hearing must be referred under statute after objections and announced that "by statute, it's it's, you know, no no, no decision can be made at this at this. So this will be continued to to the board of selectmen, for for their their review." The committee indicated it will make a recommendation to the select board and that the matter will appear in the select board packet; the town administrator schedules the select board agenda, so the date will be set by town staff.

The hearing included discussion of specific properties and species: the Bermans' trees at 98 Tom Nevers Road (cherry trees), trees at 110 Tom Nevers Road (pear and other ornamentals), and a pine and sassafras near 10 Tom Nevers Road. Staff noted erosion near Tom Nevers Field and said the project has been in the long‑range transportation plan and was funded at town meeting. Members repeatedly warned that constructing either a full‑depth bike lane adjacent to the existing pavement or excavating for a separate path could damage the trees' root systems and canopies.

Next steps: staff will follow up with property owners who asked for more precise easement dimensions; the committee will submit its recommendation to the select board; and the select board — not the advisory committee — will take the statutory decision on whether town trees can be removed or relocated for the project.