By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
The addition of sidewalks in a proposed Pennington road improvement project is spurring cries to save as many trees as possible.
Long under discussion, the project would make improvements to King George Road and Park Avenue, but several trees would have to be cut down to make way for a new sidewalk on Park Avenue.
Mark Godfrey, a long-time resident of Park Avenue, addressed the Borough Council on Monday about his worry that “that the residents of Pennington be made aware in advance of the expected tree loss.”
Mr. Godfrey, who works as an environmental specialist with the state Department of Environmental Protection, offered a proposal.
“I’m asking Council and the Borough Engineer tonight whether or not some of the smaller healthier trees could be saved by arching (sidewalks) around the tree base such that the sidewalk remained in a safe place within the public right-of- way, but then that trees might be saved,” he said.
There is currently no sidewalk on Park Avenue, but one is being proposed as part of project for the south side of the street.
Mayor Anthony Persichilli said, “I don’t think we were proposing to circle around the trees.”
Councilwoman Catherine “Kit” Chandler said that the issue of trees was “discussed at great length” with residents, and that a there is a list of trees identified for removal.
Carmela Roberts, the engineer for the project, said, “The trees that we expected to be removed on Park Avenue and King George several months ago with the design of a 28-foot-wide road would remain the same trees that we expect to remove for a 31-foot road.”
Engineering plans originally called for reducing the width of both streets, but a number of Pennington residents opposed the roadway’s slimming. Many of the neighbors attending Borough Council meetings on May 4 and June 1 told elected officials they disagreed with reducing the road width to 28 feet, so the Council voted, 3-2, on June 1 in favor of keeping the roadways wider.
The number of trees saved could increase or decrease depending on final designs, according to the engineer.
“I have not sat down and done a detailed design of the 31-foot road,” Ms. Roberts said.
Mr. Godfrey also said his wish is that curbing be installed on Park Avenue, echoing a recommendation by the engineer.
“I’ve waited 62 years — remember I’ve lived on Park Avenue before it was even paved — I’ve been waiting 62 years for a sidewalk and for curbs,” Mr. Godfrey said.
The addition of curbing, which was originally part of the road improvement project, is no longer in the plan the Borough Council approved on June 1.
Although discussions seem to be moving forward on ironing out design details, the project itself has been suspended, according to Councilman Glen Griffiths, due to a current stalemate in Trenton over funding for statetransportation projects.
Pennington Borough had been in the process of applying for a $300,000 grant to go towards the King George Road and Park Avenue road improvement project.
