Center Street tree removal begins in Wallingford

Published: September 22, 2014 | Last Modified: September 22, 2014 11:23PM

By Eric Vo Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD Phase two of the tree planting program is underway, as contractors began cutting down the 38 pear and oak trees in downtown Wallingford Monday two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Starting from the top of Center Street by Simpson Court, contractors from New Haven-based Paradise Landscaping Tree Service made their way down the road cutting down the trees marked for removal.

The trees were planted in the mid-1990s along Center Street from Route 5 to North Main Street. Earlier this month, Public Works Director Henry McCully decided to remove the trees, despite opposition from the public.

McCully is on vacation until Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

The trees couldnt be removed until the town received an encroachment permit from the state Department of Transportation. Officials from Wallingford Center Inc. asked town officials to wait to remove the trees until after Celebrate Wallingford, which will be held Oct. 4-5.

Im disappointed, WCI Executive Director Liz Landow said Monday. Theyre down two weeks before Celebrate Wallingford.

Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the trees had to be removed sooner because the town had a time frame to follow.

If we waited until after Celebrate Wallingford, it would not be enough time to take the trees down and plant them, Dickinson said. They have to be planted by the third week of October.

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Center Street tree removal begins in Wallingford