RUMSON – Red Xs have been spray-painted on dozens of street trees along Center and Washington Streets, marking them for removal as the borough’s $1.3 million road improvement project gets underway.
The trees, of various species, are growing in the 10-18″ borough right-of-way, between the curb and sidewalk. Because the roads are going to be torn up and new sidewalks installed, the trees must come out, said Borough Administrator Tom Rogers. Their growing roots can cause the buckling of new sidewalks, bulging of curbs and disruption to road drainage – which can result in safety problems for cyclists and pedestrians. They will not be replaced, he said.
“We are not in the business of killing trees,” said Rogers, who received a handful of calls from homeowners unhappy to see their leafy streetscape permanently altered. “We are in the business of building roads and sidewalks. The last time the road was paved was 1972.”
Marked for removal Thursday were a large number of trees were marked on Center Street, about two dozen on Washington Street, two trees on Avenue of The Two Rivers, and one tree on Ward Lane, Rogers said.
Rogers cited a borough policy that trees are not to be planted in the borough right-of-way. He said he did not know who planted the trees over the years.
A sign posted on one of the trees, presumably by a resident, declared it was a protected Princeton Elm. “Do not cut down,” the sign writer pleaded, adding that the tree could be minimally pruned in order put in new sidewalk or curbs.
The road improvement project is expected to last two months. The contract has been awarded to S. Brothers Inc. of South River.
The scope of the work was described to residents in a May 8 letter from Mayor John Ekdahl, and discussed in an informational meeting for residents attended by the Borough Administrator, Superintendent of Public Works and Borough Engineer on May 18, said Rogers.
Here is more information about the scope of the work, from the mayor’s letter:
- Washington Street from West River Road to Narumsunk Street
The scope of work generally consists of the installation of drainage at the intersections of Washington Street with Church Street and Narumsunk Street; replacement of concrete curbs, sidewalks, and driveway aprons; construction of ADA accessible curb ramps; removal of some street trees (where required due to construction impacts or due to health of tree); full depth pavement reconstruction and resurfacing; and traffic striping at intersections. - Avenue of Two Rivers from Ridge Road to Blackpoint Road
The Borough was awarded a $160,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to offset the cost of construction on Avenue of Two Rivers. The scope of work generally consists of the replacement of concrete curbs and driveway aprons; construction of ADA accessible curb ramps at Avenue of Two Rivers and Ridge Road; removal of some street trees (where required due to construction impacts or due to health of tree); isolated full depth pavement reconstruction and full width resurfacing; and traffic striping at intersections. - Ward Lane from East River Road to Avenue of Two Rivers
The scope of work generally consists of the replacement of concrete curbs and driveway aprons where required; construction of ADA accessible curb ramps at Ward Lane and East River Road; isolated full depth pavement reconstruction and full width resurfacing; and traffic striping at intersections. - Center Street from Ridge Road to Ward Lane
The scope of work generally consists of the replacement of concrete curbs and driveway aprons; construction of ADA accessible curb ramps at the intersections of Center Street with Ridge Road and Blackpoint Road; removal of some street trees (where required due to construction impacts or due to health of tree); isolated full depth pavement reconstruction and full width resurfacing; and traffic striping at intersections. - Paving of Deane Porter Parking Lot – A Shared Service with the Rumson Board of Education
The scope of work generally consists of milling and resurfacing of the parking lot with some minor parking reconfigurations which will improve circulation, ADA accessibility, and increase the number of parking stalls to be completed when school is not in session. This project allows for the School to take advantage of the Borough’s bulk pricing which results in a savings to the taxpayer.
