As discussed at the public forum held on Monday, August 5, the Town is moving forward with the Maine Street sidewalk reconstruction as designed and approved by the Town Council.
August 7, 2024
RE: Maine Street Trees and the Streetscape Project
To the Residents of Brunswick:
As discussed at the public forum held on Monday, August 5, the Town is moving forward with the Maine Street sidewalk reconstruction as designed and approved by the Town Council. This will result in the likely loss of the remaining trees that are currently present on Maine Street within the project area. However, staff will continue to assess each tree individually when construction approaches their block and make every effort to preserve an existing tree if does not conflict with accessibility requirements and the long-term success of the sidewalk.
The removal of our existing trees is not due to a lack of agreement or understanding about the role that trees play in Brunswick. However, the accessibility of our Maine Street sidewalks for residents, businesses, and visitors is too great of a need to ignore. Compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements is not a luxury, it is a necessity for a community like ours that values inclusiveness.
This is not an easy decision. The benefits of urban trees are well-known and there is no question that they provide incredible value in important ways. It is why the Town has committed to planting more trees on Maine Street with this sidewalk reconstruction project than previously existed. It is also why the new trees will be planted with substantial improvements to their environment to help them flourish into healthy, mature trees that will once again line Maine Street.
As always, the Town Council appreciates the comments and suggestions from everyone that has reached out on both sides of this issue.
Sincerely,
Abby King
Chair, Brunswick Town Council
