LETTER: Regarding tree-cutting along Rt. 100 in Duxbury

March 2, 2024 | By Richard Charland 

Editor’s note: The following letter was sent by Duxbury Selectboard Chair Richard Charland to resident Laura Parkes. Charland shares this with readers in response to Parkes letter posted on Feb. 22.

Dear Ms. Parkes,

I am responding to your letter dated 2-21-24 addressed to the Town of Duxbury, a portion of which was published in the Waterbury Roundabout. Your letter expressed concern over the removal of trees on your property detailing several issues. May I take the opportunity to respond. 

1. Vermont Route 100 falls under the purview of the State of Vermont Agency of Tranportation. The Town of Duxbury has no responsibility for maintenance of the road. 

2. I contacted VT AOT regarding these trees, as I have in similar situations in the past, as they were overhanging the road at an approximate angle of 45° to the road. I believed they were in the legal right of way and fell within the jurisdiction of the State of Vermont. My concern was the potential danger to vehicles using the road and I have watched as they have progressively leaned into the roadway. Moreover, with warmer weather approaching the chance of them uprooting and toppling into the roadway became greater. 

3. My understanding is VT AOT sent someone out to assess the situation and decided they were in the right of way, that they presented a potential problem to the safety of vehicular traffic, and accordingly removed them. 

4. I cannot account for the process or where the wood went. My thought is that the trees being in the right of way did not require your consent. I do know that just past the location where these trees were removed, a large tree uprooted and toppled into the roadway some time ago and I believe the VT AOT trimmed the portions that impeded traffic flow and left the trunk of the tree in place for the property owner. I have seen evidence of this in a number of spots along Route 100 traveling from the Town Garage southerly. It is the policy of the Town of Duxbury to address problematic trees on town roads in the same fashion. 

5. I am sure that neither the State of Vermont nor the Town of Duxbury takes issue with your concern over the environment or the benefits that trees contribute as expressed in your letter. I have to believe that you would agree where a tree(s) present the potential for an accident causing bodily or property damage along our roadways, it was the prudent thing to take this preventive action. 

If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Richard L. Charland, Chair 

Duxbury Selectboard