Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

edink-Main-Street-trees-sewer

Full Text:

Farewell To The Trees

Newtown is about to let an appointed agency strip the east side of Main Street

of its trees. The many ornamental trees, most of them mature dogwoods, are

definitely goners. And several ancient maples, which tower over the street and

give it its inviting shady aspect, are about to have their roots sliced. Say

goodbye to the shade.

Last Thursday night, the Water Pollution Control Authority formalized by vote

what its chairman, Peter Alagna, had presented by edict to residents earlier:

that sewer lines will be placed in their front yards. Period. The WPCA

dismissed a petition signed by 22 of the affected property owners on the east

side of the street who asked, once again, that the sewer line be placed

beneath Main Street, sparing the trees. The residents of the street have been

saying from the outset that the line should be beneath the street.

Mr Alagna ruled the petition "invalid" because it conflicted with an informal

agreement the WPCA reached with residents who were concerned about sewer lines

tearing up their backyards. It was that "informal" agreement that gave impetus

to the current frontyard tree-destructive plan. This agreement, however, came

about in large part because of the WPCA's steadfast opposition to even asking

the state Department of Transportation to cooperate in putting sewer lines

under the street. The authority made it clear that it would only discuss two

options - frontyard and backyard - in making the agreement. So when the third,

and most popular, option of putting lines under the street was petitioned last

week, Mr Alagna was able to pretend that by agreement that option had already

been rejected by the residents and was therefore "invalid."

A public petition is an expression of public will and is never invalid. Those

in public service who believe that it is have forgotten who it is they are

serving. We don't understand the WPCA's phobia about even considering a sewer

line beneath Main Street. The closest we have come to a discussion of this

option was Mr Alagna regaling residents with dire warnings of gas main

explosions and incinerated houses at last Thursday night's meeting. This is

not the kind of public discourse we expect from our town officials.

We are not sure what is to be gained by this close-minded approach to sewering

Main Street. But we do know what will be lost - one of the most attractive

Main Streets in New England.