By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 10/14/25 the Fairhaven Select Board voted to approve the removal of 24 trees on Oliver Street in response to 15 residents who appealed in writing after a hearing. The hearing was held by the Tree Department on 9/29. When an appeal is filed in writing, the next step is for the Select Board to hear the appeal and make a decision.
Acting Tree Warden, Josh Crabb, told the board that the Green Ash trees were “priority 1” for removal. He said they all have a disease called “Emerald Ash Borer.”
He called it a borderline plague for Ash trees. He also said the roots have wreaked havoc on the sidewalks.
“These need to come down,” said Mr. Crabb.
He also told the board that he was aware that residents have been concerned that the tree department has only been taking trees down and not planting.
In the letter, the residents write they object to the removal of the trees “unless and until there is intention and an official commitment to replant no later than the end of Spring of 2026 with the same or a similar beneficial native species shade tree.”
Mr. Crabb told the board that his department is developing a replanting plan, but currently they need to address the existing canopy.
He also said he cannot guarantee a one for one replacement in the exact spots.
“I would support that in theory,” said Mr. Crabb, but caution the Select Board on putting it into the motion. He said there are too many factors to consider, most notably that on Oliver Street, the utilities are underground.
He said he would did not know of a shade tree that would not compromise the infrastructure in the future.
Mr. Crabb also said they are not quite done with the townwide assessment of town owned tree. The goal is to remove trees that have to be removed and “come up with a capital program” to replant.
SB member Natalie Mello noted that there are already trees in those exact spots.
Mr. Crabb said that the “school of thought has changed significantly.”
It is against any standard practice to put public shade trees over shallow infrastructure. He said there is power, gas, and irrigation underneath. He added, however, that there might “means and methods” to do it, he just did not want to guarantee it.
“I just don’t know of a methodology as of yet that works,” he said.
Ms. Mello also noted that it would be some time before new plantings would go in. Mr. Crabb agreed they are at the end of the fall planting season. He said he is working with engineers to see what they can do to protect the infrastructure underground.
Resident Michael McBarron, who signed the petition, said the residents were hoping that the trees would be replaced. He said most of them agree that the Green Ash is “not the greatest idea” because of the disease. He said they would like something like maple trees that provide a lot of shade.
Mr Crabb reiterated that he was not saying they would not plant trees, he just did not know the species or what preventive measures they would need to take.
Mr. Crabb said he hoped to have the sidewalks fixed in time for Halloween trick-or-treating.
The board voted 4-1 to approve the removal of the trees, with Ms. Mello voting “no.”
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