Several Woodstock Early Birds were quite upset at the recent felling of trees along the Kedron Brook on property owned by Fairpoint Communications.
According to some upset neighbors, the trees (box elders) provided a natural buffer against light, noise and activity across the brook at Vail Field. With their removal (some six to ten trees by WEB estimate) tennis court lights are clearly visible and the buffer is gone.
We also learned from Trustee Bob Pear who inquired of Village officials that there really was nothing that could be done to the trees and there is no legal recourse for activity such as that on private property.
Woodstock Early Bird wrote to Fairpoint Communications to find out what led to their decision to cut down the trees. Guess what? According to Fairpoint’s local guy, Greg Tuthill, the request — or suggestion — to remove the trees came from a different neighbor in the Maple Street/Golf Avenue area. So, trying to be responsive to one neighbor they apparently offended others. The decision was ultimately based on the effects of the trees of Kedron Brook flooding and concern about limbs in the water. So, they were removed. Here is the text of Fairpoint’s letter explaining their decision:
From: Tuthill, Gregory
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 12:54 PM
Subject: RE: FairPoint Woodstock Property/tree cutting/removal
Actually it was the neighbors, and the flooding that initiated the action.
Neighbors brought to our attention the tree that was hanging closely over the brook. Implications were that this tree had created a damming affect adding to the flooding on their properties. They also noted the others hanging over the brook and when reviewing those I discovered all of the ones that were already fallen/falling in our yard and tipping precariously over our yard/parking due to erosion around bases from flooding.
In an effort to appease the neighbors’ concerns, our safety concerns and prevent future issues of trees in the brook I had them removed. Still have quite a bit of cleanup work to do. No more trees will be cut, just need to clean up the mess from the flooding and neaten area up a bit.
If it is any consolation to people as these were/are box elders, and we did not remove the stumps they will grow back aggressively. Suspect 6-10 feet within a year or more and 20-30 plus feet within a very short period of time. We had cut the ones by the neighbors stockade fence 8-10 years ago, they were complaining because they were overhanging their fence and property. There are 30-40 plus foot trees back there now.
I do apologize for any issues/concerns this created/caused. We try and be good neighbors and in this case were trying to address some of the neighbors’ concerns. I don’t believe any of us, the neighbors or myself, gave thought to, or realized the affect this would have regarding the recreation field!
Should there be further questions/concerns please don’t hesitate in bringing them to my attention.
Sincerely
Greg
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 
Posted by L.H. Russell on October 13, 2011 at 09:42
Do any readers know what recourse, if any, is available when CVPS, following a detailed site visit by their arborist, removes more than three times the agreed upon trees on private property?
Thanks!
-Louise
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