Road, sidewalk work means fewer trees and more noise

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

MILLTOWN — The borough has been removing trees along Albert Avenue to facilitate the installation of new sidewalks and curbs, but not all residents are pleased with project.

Residents said numerous, large trees are being removed as part of a road and sidewalk reconstruction project, and one result is more noise from the nearby New Jersey Turnpike. While new trees will be planted, it will take years for them to match the size of the ones being taken down.

"It’s doubled our noise," said Frank Luisi, a resident of Albert Avenue.

The front of Luisi’s home directly faces the turnpike, though a sound barrier runs along the side of the highway. He said the increased noise is becoming unbearable for him and his family.

"The trees absorbed the sound and made it livable," he said.

Borough officials said the tree removals were necessary because they were lifting sidewalks — some panels as high as 8 or 9 inches — and displacing and pushing out curbs along the road. The uneven sidewalks had become a problem because homeowners’ insurance companies were telling residents they had to be fixed because they were a hazard, and the depressed curbs were allowing water to pond along the street, according to Borough Business Administrator Richard Rydstrom. He said standing water in the street was becoming a health problem.

Albert Avenue itself, he said, had deteriorated significantly, so borough officials obtained a $185,000 grant to fund the entire road reconstruction and sidewalk and curb replacement project.

The removal of the trees was necessary, he said, but the borough is replacing the trees being removed.

"Unfortunately, some of them were fairly large trees, and I’m sure they buffered the noise somewhat, though there is a sound barrier there," Rydstrom said.

He said officials realize the newer trees will not be as large, but they also won’t be as detrimental to the curbs and sidewalks.

But Luisi also complained that pollution in the form of auto emissions from the turnpike is twice what it was in the neighborhood now that the tree barrier is disappearing.

"I can’t get anywhere with the town. They won’t listen to me," he said.

Luisi’s home is about 80 yards from the turnpike, and he said about 20 trees have been taken down so far to allow for the sidewalks and curbs to be installed. He said more trees are expected to come down to facilitate the work. All of the trees are at least 25 years old, he said, and have become quite large.

"They ruined the whole rustic look," he said. "The town says they want to put in new curbs and sidewalks, but they don’t care about people’s health," he said.

Anthony Nesta, whose house faces away from the turnpike, is also upset with the results of the project.

"It’s louder now," he said. "It comes from behind my house, and it’s not hitting anything."

He said that not only were the trees aesthetically pleasing, but the two in front of his home gave him privacy.

"They were beautiful trees out there," he said.

But not all the residents on Albert Avenue are upset.

Mark Andrechick said he welcomes the borough’s work.

"We’re getting new sidewalks and curbs, and it’s not costing me a cent," he said.

The back of his home faces the turnpike, and there are some wooded sections between his back yard and the concrete wall that provides another barrier from turnpike noise and pollution.

"My point is, sure, they’re taking down the trees, but the town told us two years ago so we were prepared," he said.

He said the new trees, while far from being mature, "will provide the same shade and sound barrier as the ones being taken down."

Andrechick said he is sad to see the old trees being taken down, however.

"I’m sorry to see them go because they are mature, beautiful trees," he said.

"As time goes by [however], you’re going to get used to it," he said.

Nevertheless, Luisi said he does not like the tradeoff because he can hear the trucks barreling down the turnpike and he also feels his house shake.

"I want to sell my house," he said. "They want to put up 7- to 10-foot trees, so we have to live here 10 years before they mature."

Rydstrom said he has only received one phone call from a resident complaining about the project.

"I may please three people, but I may get one who didn’t want the trees taken down and who will tell me his sidewalks were fine," he said.

Borough officials, he said, had "a lot of debate" about the trees and the necessity to remove them, but in the end they decided they had no choice to make what he said were necessary improvements along the road.

Staff writer Brian Donahue contributed to this story