Burroughs Drive tree removal begins; resident still arguing
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Crews started the tree removal on Burroughs Drive Tuesday, as Erie County Sheriff's deputies watched over the site. Discontent was felt by some residents. Photo by Joe Eberle

The removal of 44 trees on Burroughs Drive in Amherst began on Tuesday morning, much to the disappointment of some residents.

Erie County Sheriff's deputies were on the scene, as many as four at one time, according to a resident on the street.

Amherst Police Chief John C. Askey said he was aware that the deputies were called to assist, but he said that hasn't been uncommon during the tree removal process.

"Police presence has been used at different times, for traffic needs or for large jobs," he said. "It's necessary, this is a widespread problem and the sheriff's provide some level of site safety."

Askey did acknowledge there was known opposition to the tree removal schedule for Burroughs Drive, and police were called as a precaution.

Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson said some of the trees that came down Tuesday were rotted inside, including James Duggan's.

One week prior to the start of work, Duggan spoke at the Amherst Town Board's April 7 work session, asking that the trees not be "destroyed."

"These trees are historic," he said, adding that there is a feeling that the residents' quality of life is doomed.

He said the trees hadn't been trimmed, and many still had dead branches hanging from them since the storm.

Duggan added that the residents on the street were strongly against the removal of the trees and wanted to know what could be done to save them. He didn't think they had been given a fair chance to survive.

During the meeting, Anderson and Bob Snyder, an arborist hired by the town, spoke, saying those trees were investigated, and 44 of 80 were marked for removal.

"It's painful to see those giants come down," Snyder said about the mature trees on Burroughs Drive. "But we found those 44 have such defects that they really need to come down."

Town Attorney Tom Jones was also asked for his opinion, and he said the town would put itself at risk for liability if it didn't follow recommendations for removal of trees marked as hazardous.

Anderson said it has been common for residents to be passionate about saving their trees, but after the process is explained to them, the majority understand and accept the removal of trees.

"Mr. Duggan doesn't want to understand this," Anderson said. "These trees are dangerous. It's not out of spite or anything."

Duggan responded at the meeting, "Those 44 trees are not dead or dangerous at all."

Some residents continued to protest, contacting The Amherst Bee and Town Hall Tuesday to express their disgust with the crews on their street.

While commotion was reported Tuesday, Anderson said he only knew of two residents complainging onsite.