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Canton to seek engineering services for West Mountain intersection at Cherry Brook

  • jfitts0
  • Apr 5, 2023
  • 6 min read

Updated: Apr 6, 2023

Stated goal is to improve safety, while 'hopefully' preserving historic Sycamore


Editor’s Note: The town’s decision to seek engineering services for this intersection came after our April 7 paper went to press. In light of that, we are updating this electronic version, but were unable to do so in print. We apologize for any confusion.


By John Fitts

Staff Writer

CANTON – The town has decided to explore further options for West Mountain Road after the proposed removal of a historic Sycamore in the road generated intense public resistance.

On March 24, following Board of Selectmen review of a town memo on safety concerns at the intersection of West Mountain and Cherry Brook roads, the town’s tree warden Thomas Richardson posted to a removal notice on the tree. The action prompted strong reactions from residents. Many took to social media and others almost immediately placed “Save this tree” signs on the tree, which according to research done by Lans Perry, dates back to circa 1840. While some supported removing the tree, the vast majority objected to removal of it.

Formal objections (it would only take one) forced the issue to public hearing but on April 4, First Selectman Bob Bessel alerted residents that the town had canceled the hearing and would instead secure engineering services to explore options for the intersection.

“In an attempt to balance the Town’s interest in public safety at the intersection of Cherry Brook and West Mountain Roads with the public interest in preserving the sycamore in the middle of this intersection, the Town will seek an engineer to provide design options that would improve safety and hopefully preserve the tree,” he wrote in a message to residents Tuesday. “Until additional options can be reviewed and presented to the Town, the tree will not be removed. In light of this change, the Town has canceled the public hearing scheduled for April 11.”

Town officials noted that at least 120 people had sent emails about the issue.

“I’ve gotten more email on this issue than any other since I’ve been in office,” said Bessel, who was elected in November of 2019, adding that he’s received nothing on other current issues, such as the budget.

Bessel said a Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering services would go out soon. The scope is being worked out now and the Board of Selectmen will review that at its April 12 meeting.

“We’ll brief the Board of Selectmen next week, get the RFP out and then see what bids come in, select one, and then give them time to study the situation, come up with their analysis and then provide options for dealing with the safety issues, which are definitely there, and the public’s desire to preserve the tree,” he said on April 5. “We’d have an independent engineer to lay out a range of options to say here are ways we can balance these two needs – safety and preservation.”

Bessel noted that the services will cost money and said unspent money in the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would provide one way of funding it. The cost of the services will not be known until the bids are in.

However, when the Board of Selectmen meeting on April 12, they will consider an item to "Review and possibly approve the transfer of $25,000 of ARPA funding from an account entitled Showers at Community Center to a new account entitled West Mountain Road and Cherry Brook Road Intersection Safety Study."

According to a town memo for the meeting, estimates indicate that the $25,000 would not cover the cost for the showers. They would also be used infrequently, the memo states.

Any work at the intersection would also cost money, of course, and Bessel also said the options could come with tradeoffs.

The recent action in regard to removal was prompted by a March 7 call from a resident, who expressed concerns about safety at the intersection. Town officials, including Richardson, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner and Chris Arciero, Canton’s police chief and legal traffic authority, according to a March 21 town memo, then discussed the issue.

According to that memo, there have been, since 2011, five “documented” accidents at the intersection where the tree “may have been a contributing factor.”

Additionally, the bus company has noted “close calls” and the fire chief said most fire vehicles avoid the intersection by going Route 44 to Indian Hill in order to avoid the “tight turn” at the intersection.

The memo also asserts that the intersection is particularly concerning for plows.

“There are additional concerns that large vehicles, particularly, with snowplow blades, exiting from West Mountain Road are extended further onto Cherry Brook Road to improve sightlines. Moreover, some large trucks turning left onto West Mountain Road do so to the left of the tree, which adds another safety concern due to the location of the tree and traffic on West Mountain Road,” the memo also states.

The state of Connecticut is scheduled to do some milling and paving in the area was willing to cut the tree, provided the town grind the stump, town officials said.

Richardson said the tree, which he estimates to be 80 feet high, is healthy.

According to a submission from Lans Perry, whose family has a long history in the area, the tree is one of many planted by Linus Barber circa 1840. Trees along Cherry Brook were plan 30 feet apart, about 8 feet off the road, he noted, providing several historical documents to back it up.

Just four remain, according to Perry’s submission.

“Linus was son of Giles and grandson of Dr. Samuel who came to our farm in 1738,” he wrote prior to the town’s decision to hire an engineer. “Linus went broke in the Panic of 1837 but by hard work recovered and got enough money together to pay a surgeon to fix his face so he could win the hand of a girl and get married. Sadly he died of iatrogenic causes at 31. It would be awful if his trees suffered a similar fate at your hands.”

Nikki Wardwell Sleath is one who shared a Facebook post about the tree after the proposal to remove it, adding “this seems like a needless matter of convenience, and this majestic tree is a unique landmark in this town.”

Wardwell Sleath added to the press that the tree has been special to her family since 2008.

“When my husband and I were first looking at houses in this town and considering moving here, we drove up Cherry Brook Road to take a look at the elementary school where our children would end up going to school,” she said. “We noticed that tree right away and both thought it cool that the town had not moved it for the sake of the convenience of the roadway. We considered it a check in the column of reasons why we liked the town as one of our options.”

Prior to the March 24 notice, the Board of Selectmen discussed the issue and Skinner referred to the memo and acknowledged that there would be some resistance to cutting it down.

“Some people would probably chain themselves to the tree to keep it from coming down because it’s been there for so long,” Skinner said.

“You know Bob I might have been one of those people,” said selectman Tim LeGeyt, a long-time Canton Center resident. “But I’ve changed my mind. I’m in favor of taking that tree down now and one of the things that changed my mind was the picture of that plow truck.... I’m reluctantly in favor of doing it, but I’m not in favor of taking the other two trees.”

The “other two trees” reference was for two sycamores north of West Mountain noted in the memo, but the town did not end up proposing their removal. Whether those two come into play with possible solutions remains to be seen.

On April 5, Bessel acknowledged that the public reaction was greater than expected and also said ideas suggested in some of the emails and calls to the town would certainly be part of the conversation.

“We don’t want to make decisions in a vacuum,” he said. “This is an issue that garnered a lot more public response than we had anticipated. People want to make their views known and have a lot of allegiance to the tree and we have to respect that.”

The Sycamore on April 6.

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Valley Happenings

Fit for a Lifetime races

Fit for a Lifetime Choose Your Race to benefit a sports program for individuals with a disability. March 29, starting at 8 a.m. Farmington River Trail, 350 Collinsville Road, Unionville. Several races, fees vary. https://fitforalifetime.itsyourrace.com/

Earth Day celebration

Flamig Farm, 7 Shingle Mill Road, is having their annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 9 to 5 p.m. (rain date April 27) with discounted admission of $5 per person (under 2 is free). 860-658-5070 or www.Flamingfarm.com

Tunxis Senior Citizens meeting

Tunxis Senior Citizens Association’s monthly meeting, featuring Bunny Bingo. Monday April 8. Community Center, 321 New Britain Ave., Unionville. Meeting at 1:30 with introduction, followed by six games of Bingo and then refreshments. $1 for admission and $3 per pack of papers. $20 gift certificates to local grocery stores will be awarded to bingo winners. Call the  860-675-4770 to learn about membership.

April at Hill-Stead Museum

• Art of Shearing, Sunday, April 6-10 a.m., Sheep Shearing, fiber artists, vendors, free hayrides. $20 carload.

• On view through April 27, visit The Arethusa Collection From Italian Renaissance to Contemporary British Art to see the private collection of Tony Yurgaitis, owner of Arethusa Farm.

Visit hillstead.org for more details.

Garden club event

CANTON – Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a presentation on “Floral Mechanics:  Past, Present, Future for Eco-Friendly Floral Designs.” Tuesday, April 8, 11 a.m. at 40 Dyer Avenue. Open to the public. $5 guest fee for non-club members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

The SpongeBob Musical

Favarh Players presents The SpongeBob Musical, April 4, 5 at 7 pm; April 6 at 1 p.m. at Northwest Catholic School, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford. Cost: $15 per person. Tickets: favarh.org/theater

2025 Walker’s Cup: Honoring Women in International Showjumping

The Ethel Walker School invites the community to the Second Walker’s Cup on Sunday, April 13, a day of friendly equestrian competition and celebration. This year’s event highlights the achievements of U.S. women in international showjumping and honors the female athletes who have paved the way. Opening ceremony begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by a warm-up round and two rounds of competition. A closing ceremony and victory gallop conclude the day at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Ken Whelihan at kwhelihan@ethelwalker.org.

Community Breakfast w/Easter Bunnny

AVON – Community Breakfast with the Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Road. Details, times at avonmumc.org, 860-673-2111.

Author Luncheon in Avon
AVON – The Friends of the Avon Free Public Library present New York Times honored author, J. Courtney Sullivan, on Friday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Farmington Polo Club located at 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington. Tickets are $50 per person. Download an Author Luncheon Reservation form at  https://www.avonctlibrary.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/new-Author-Luncheon-2025-Reservation-form-2-9-25-1.pdf.

 

At the Farmington Libraries

The following programs are offered by The Farmington Libraries. Except where noted, programs take place at the main library, 6 Monteith Drive. Register for programs at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

• Cake Candle Decorating! Thursday, April 3 at 6 p.m. 12 and up Register at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

• History of Beauty & Cosmetics - Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m. Register at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

• Paths to Autistic Empowerment. Presenter Jeremy Farrell encourages attendees to think critically about the benefits of open communication and self-advocacy for their lives and the lives of those around them. Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. Register at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

 

Canton Community Health Fund

CANTON – Canton Community Health Fund, Inc.Community Partner grants/ Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship and Pay It Forward Scholarships for graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety. www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.

Word Art at Gallery on the Green

CANTON  – Gallery on the Green’s Word Art, plus Solo Shows by Renée and Patrick Hughes and Peggy Stosz, takes place through Saturday, April 19. In “Word Art” visual artists create a work of art that is inspired by prose or poetry, while writers create new work in response to visual art. On Saturday, April 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. authors will read aloud. The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. http://www.galleryonthegreen.org or call  860-693-4102

Easter Bunny at Westfarms

FARMINGTON – At Westfarms the Easter Bunny will greet visitors in Bunnyville – a three-dimensional town for kids to explore through April 19. Located on the shopping center’s lower level in the Center Court, Bunnyville features many places to visit. For more information or to make a reservation at https://shopwestfarms.com/

Welcoming Hummingbirds

AVON – The Garden Club of Avon presents Welcoming Hummingbirds to your Yard and Garden with Catie Resor on Monday, April 21 at the Church of St. Ann, Father Bennett Hall, 289 Arch Road. Guests are welcome for a light lunch at 12 p.m. with the presentation starting at 1 p.m.  Reservations are required, the guest fee is $15 payable at the door with cash or check. Spots must be reserved by April 15 by emailing thegardenclubofavon@gmail.com.

All For Girls Summer Academy

Providing a summer of academic discovery, The Ethel Walker School’s All For Girls Summer Academy is where curiosity meets exploration and fun. Our vibrant in-person program for grades 5-8 is an immersive learning experience on campus, while grades 9 and 10 connect and collaborate in online spaces. Learn more, register at www.ethelwalker.org/summer.

Program on Stress and Disease

SIMSBURY – Stress and Disease with Dr. Wendy Hurwitz takes place Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St. To register, call 860-658-7663 or visit: https://simsbury.librarycalendar.com/event/rescheduled-stress-disease-w-dr-wendy-hurwitz-54826

Friends of the Simsbury Public
Library Spring Author Luncheon

SIMSBURY – The Friends of the Simsbury Public Library will hold it 2025 Annual Author Luncheon on Tuesday, May 6 from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury. This year’s featured author is critically-acclaimed author Claire Messud, who will discuss her latest award-winning historical novel, This Strange Eventful History. Cost is $38 per person.  Please RSVP by April 8. Seating cannot be guaranteed. Sorry no refunds. Register on-line at www.simsburylibrary.info or pick up a reservation form at the library’s reference desk, or call 860-658-7663.

11th Annual Memory Walk

WINDSOR – On Sunday, May 4, Mary’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families will host its 12th Annual Memory Walk at Northwest Park; 145 Lang Road, Windsor at 9:30 a.m. Register at www.marysplacect.org/memory-walk

 

National Day of Prayer event

AVON – There will be a National Day of Prayer Event held at Carmon Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, Thursday, May 1 from 8 to 9 a.m. The theme this year is “Pour out to the God of Hope and Be Filled” from Romans 15:13 (ESV)

Tag, Bake sale

CANTON – The North Canton United Methodist Church, 3 Case St. North Canton, will hold a tag and bake sale April 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. Early birds 8 a.m., $10 entry. Free after 9 a.m.

Tunxis Ladies 9-Hole Golf League

FARMINGTON – Tunxis Ladies 9-Hole Golf League. Thursday mornings at Tunxis County Club starting in May. Visit https://www.tunxisgolf.com/ or call 860- 202-0957 or email jco13142@gmail.com

Old school house open house

AVON – The Avon Historical Society welcomes the public to an now annual family friendly OPEN HOUSE of the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris Road on Sunday, May 4 from 1 – 4 p.m.  After that it will be open to the public every Sunday through September. Those interested being a Sunday: info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621.

 

Send May listings to
jfitts@turleyct.com by April 7

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