Dear Select Board:
I walk the rail trail almost every day of the year, primarily between West Shore Drive and Lafayette Street, and between Clifton Avenue and Smith Street. In summer, I occasionally bring my shears to prune a few branches and fronds that might hit walkers and cyclists. I did that last week.
A few days later, I saw a tree service working on that same spot, cutting back the trail sides and clearing a swath six feet or more on each side. I was puzzled about why this work was being done. I called the town’s public works department and the tree service twice, asking for a callback to explain. The person taking the message only said, “It’s the annual pruning,” which did not answer my question. A week later, I still have not received a callback.
I honestly do not understand why this cutting is done. The parts of the trail where I saw this happening did not have overgrowth encroaching on the path. I also feel sure the money spent on this could be put to better use with actual value to residents. Finally, this cutting leaves behind ugly stubble like a bad haircut, destroys animal habitat and leaves deep ruts that turn into dangerous ice in winter.
Please, Town of Marblehead, for many good reasons, consider looking into this practice and either stopping it or scaling it back.
Kate Borten
Martin Terrace
