Township to Remove Fewer Trees Along Lafayette Than Originally Planned

The township has further reduced the number of trees that will be removed along Lafayette Avenue as part of a sidewalk renovation project.

Twenty-eight trees were originally slated to be pulled up along the thoroughfare this summer while work was being done on Lafayette's cracked sidewalks. But after they walked along the street and surveyed the area, they reduced the number of trees that will be pulled up to 15.

Of those 15 that will be removed, three to four will likely be replaced. Four of the 15 are the intersection of Lafayette and Southern Boulevard and are diseased, so township officials said they should be removed regardless of the project.

"I think we're being prudent in the ones we're taking down," said Deputy Mayor Kevin Tubbs at a Township Committee meeting Thursday.

As the trees have grown, they have gotten in the way of the street's sidewalks, and have caused them to become uneven. The township received a state Department of Transportation grant to revamp the sidewalks and to repave Lafayette Avenue, and that work will be done this summer when school is out. According to Township Engineer John Ruschke, the project must be completed by Sept. 1.

Township officials named some of the areas where the trees will be removed. Three trees will be taken down near 142 Lafayette Ave., and others will be taken out near 316, 320 and 358 Lafayette Ave.

Committee Member William O'Connor, who had voiced concerns about the tree removal in the past, said the township has attempted to plan on building the sidewalks around trees where possible in an effort to assuage the concerns of residents, who had come to a previous meeting to speak out against the removal of so many trees along the avenue.

"I just want to say thank you for taking the time to walk up and down the street," said resident Janice Coviello. "That's pretty awesome."

The trees slated to be removed had previously been marked with orange ribbon, but some of the ribbon was removed, possibly by residents in the area. Township officials will head to the area, armed with orange spray paint, to newly mark the trees slated for removal.

Residents continued to urge the Township Committee to remain aware of the effect removing the trees may have on the street's appearance.

"If that gets disturbed heavily, that's going to be a real drag because that's a real scene," said Jon Plante, who often walks his children to school along Lafayette.