Petition is addressed to: Norwalk Tree Warden Chris Torre ctorre@norwalkct.gov

We, the undersigned residents or taxpayers of Norwalk, urge our City of Norwalk Tree Warden to deny the City request to cut down the mature, healthy, full canopy oak tree at Cemetery and Gregory, and instead to insist the State DOT and City Public Works consider other drainage & roadway modification alternatives in order to save this tree.

• While numerous iterations of drainage plans have emerged for that area in the past 5 years, it seems the City and State are opting for the design that is MOST BENEFICIAL to the residential/commercial developer who has actually removed trees and in order erect more than 70 apartments directly across the street atop the Mill Pond (and in order to provide a single driveway solution to maximize # of units and to ensure they will have access to overflow on-street parking).
• Though designated a Tree City USA through self-nomination, Norwalk remains one the lowest ranked cities in our State for overall tree canopy*, and only recently embarked on multiple initiatives in an effort to increase trees and canopy throughout the City, especially in our more urban corridors, of which East Norwalk center is one - multiple trees have already been removed due to the apartment development! We cannot afford to lose this beautiful, healthy tree.
• Considering the loss of mature trees at recent apartment developments, the City of Norwalk should take every possible opportunity and seek every viable alternative for the drainage improvement & roadway modifications in order to preserve and increase healthy, mature trees in the immediate area Cemetery Street area.
• We urge our City Tree Warden to compel the State DOT and City Public Works to revisit this plan with preservation as a design goal, not an afterthought. Cutting down a thriving tree should always be the last resort. Please allow this project to set an example of how modern drainage and roadway design planning can serve people while honoring & protecting the natural assets that sustain us and improve our quality of life in every season.

*https://www.thehour.com/news/article/Study-says-Norwalk-is-losing-its-tree-canopy-13800953.php