Greenwich Letter: Merritt Tree Removal Should Take Place At Night

GREENWICH, Conn. The Daily Voice accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Email them to Greenwich@DailyVoice.com.

Greenwich resident Daniel F. Good responds to the Department of Transportation's news that tree removal on the Merritt Parkway will last at least two more summers.

To the Editor:

As stated in the paper, tree removal will take place for this summer and the next two.Presently, there is constant and daily bumper-to-bumper traffic on the parkway withendless vehicles burning thousand and thousands of gallons of gas going nowhere.

Simply stated: Why doesn't the DOT work at night - from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. with half-hours time for a meal break. Pay the staff overtime, which would be the equivalent of 42 hoursstraight time. Or a shift differential and have them work a modified five night week.

Working at night would minimize traffic being backed up since drivers would know thatwork is going on every night for tree removal. This would help to save the environment from excess burning of fuel.

Send out small crews a week or so ahead of time to spray paint the trees to be removed usingflorescent paint for easy identification. Maximize productivity while people are sleeping and minimizetraffic problems.

Additional consideration could be given to the crews to work five nights a week but shorten Fridaynight hours from midnight to 5:30 a.m., since people tend to drive late Friday evening getting away for theweekend.

There are various scenarios the DOT could come up with. Let's be practical, efficient, attention to road conditions, sensitivity to motorists.

Last but not least, the DOT is ongoingly working on half the service areas on both sides of the parkway.While driving you have to be careful not to run out of gas. It's even hard to find one conveniently open tostop, stretch your legs and visit the facilities and for some refreshment.The few that are open are overwhelmedwith motorists.

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Greenwich Letter: Merritt Tree Removal Should Take Place At Night