By Amanda Hurley
Mayor of Greenwich
Special to Journal & Press
Greenwich residents, I wanted to share some important news about changes coming to Main Street between Dorr Park and Big Lots in the next few weeks. As part of our ongoing water improvement project, some of the trees along State Route 29 will need to come down.
I know it’s tough to see these trees go, but this is a necessary step to ensure our village’s infrastructure is up to date. The trees being removed have root systems that are simply too large to coexist with the new water pipes we need to install. Their rootballs could potentially damage the pipes or be compromised by the construction, making it impossible for these trees to survive in their current locations.
We’ve been working closely with the project teams, walking the stretch of Main Street multiple times to evaluate, plan, and develop the best course of action to ensure this project is successful. This careful planning is critical to balancing our infrastructure needs with our community’s values.
In addition to the trees, some of the slate by Dorr Park will also need to be removed. The good news is that we’re planning to store this slate and repurpose it in parks and other areas throughout the village. This way, we can preserve a piece of our village’s character and give it new life in other community spaces.
On the bright side, this work will also bring new sidewalks to Main Street, and they’ll be more accessible, providing smoother, safer paths for everyone in our community to enjoy. While not all the trees that are removed will be replaced, we’re actively looking into tree species that can thrive in the verge without causing issues for our infrastructure. This is part of our larger effort to keep Greenwich green and beautiful.
We’re also working toward becoming a Tree City USA, a designation that reflects our commitment to planting and nurturing trees. We’re exploring long-term solutions to reintroduce trees to our streets in a way that complements our infrastructure needs. It’s a balancing act, but one we’re committed to achieving for the benefit of the entire community.
Together, we will make Greenwich even stronger and greener for the future.
Amanda Hurley is Mayor of the Village of Greenwich, NY.
We are so very fortunate to have Amanda Hurley as Mayor. Thank you Amanda for showing up, stepping up and your dedication to preserving the character of this beautiful town while improving the infrastructure that is crucial to our well being.