Planning board approves revised Westpark Drive street‑tree plan

The Planning Board on March 17 approved a revised street‑tree planting plan for Westpark Drive that uses existing specimen trees where practical and adds approximately 35 new plantings to meet the town’s street‑tree requirements.

Stan Feeney (Bales & Thomas), standing in for the applicant team, explained that construction left many mature specimen trees in place on the eastern side of the roadway and that the modification would rely on those trees supplemented by new plantings to meet the required average (one tree every 40 feet). Feeney noted constraints such as underground utilities and bedrock that make some planting locations impractical.

Town staff said the tree warden and engineering departments provided comments: species should be native where possible and new trees must be sited at least 10 feet from underground utilities. The conservation director deferred to the planning director and tree warden on whether the proposed locations in the right‑of‑way are acceptable, provided species are native.

Board members voiced support for using existing healthy trees and moving forward quickly. The board approved the modification with the understanding that plantings will occur this growing season and that coordination with town staff will continue. "Keep the trees alive," the chair said as the board closed the item.

The applicant indicated readiness to proceed this planting season and to work with town staff on plant selection and long‑term maintenance.