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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
FORESTRY DIVISION
999 Whipple Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday 7:00
am to 3:30 pm
William Chandler Jr.,
Forestry Division Supervisor
Tel: (978)640-4448 Ext. 5 Fax:(978) 640-4445
wchandler@town.tewksbury.ma.us
The mission of the Forestry Division with a
staff of three is to provide for the residents safety by maintaining
public shade trees and vegetation within the Town's right-of-way as
well as those on Town properties. This task is accomplished by using
the proper arboricultural practices at an appropriate time of year.
The removal of dead, diseased or dangerous trees as well as the
control of noxious or invasive vegetation falls under the preview of
the Forestry Division. An annual inspection of the section of the
forest areas provides the Forestry Division with an awareness of the
physical condition of the town's tree stock and further affords the
Division the opportunity to schedule the necessary maintenance for
public safety.
Typically, the growing season from May to
September would provide the opportunity to address over-growth of
roadside vegetation by means of application of selective herbicides
or by manually cutting and chipping larger diameter stalks. The town
abandoned the use of herbicides in the late 1980's. Due to the
elimination of this service and the reduction in staffing, currently
the control of roadside brush and the pruning of low limbs and/or
poorly structured limbs overhanging the rightof-way has been
curtailed to a level that staff can perform. The DPW is planning to
acquire multi tasking equipment and the reinstitution of an
environmentally safe roadside vegetation control program in the near
future to address some of these issues.
The Forestry Division at the conclusion of
roadside brush season turns its efforts more fully to the pruning,
thinning and removal of dead, diseased or dangerous trees. Those
trees of concern that an annual inspection identifies are addressed
for remedial pruning or complete removal. Additionally; any disease
ridden or storm damaged trees that appear during summer months are
added to the list. For a period of three weeks in the month of
November, Forestry personnel work in conjunction with the Town's
electrician on Christmas lighting on the Town Common and other
decorations at the Town Hall. Following Christmas, the recycling of
Christmas trees begins and runs until trees are no longer dropped
off at the Department of Public Works facility. During this period
and through the winter, Forestry Division personnel continue with
normal duties and assist the Highway Division with snow and ice
operations when required. Weather and snow and ice assignments
permitting, a survey of the town's tree stock is made for the
purpose of identifying trees of concern and developing a schedule to
take appropriate action.
On a daily basis resident requests are
received and investigated. Please contact us if we can be of
service. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 7:00 am to
3:30 pm. Weekends, Holidays, and Emergencies contact the Police
Department.
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