Dear Editor:

With the upcoming MDOT project, I think it is important to alert Wiscasset residents of the following changes/updates to the project in case they were not aware

1. Downtown trees will be cut down during the sidewalk rebuild.

2. There are no plans to plant new trees as replacement, although tree options were included in original MDOT survey.

3. Sidewalks in some areas of the downtown will be 30 feet wide with no planters andnotrees.

There is a wealth of research to prove the benefits of urban trees. Consumers reported a willingness to pay more for goods in a landscaped business district than a non-landscaped district. Trees can remove a number of pollutants from the atmosphere, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particles. Careful tree planting can reduce the amount of fuel used on both heating and cooling buildings. Trees provide shelter and reduce wind speed, thus reducing heat loss from buildings during winter. The shade trees provide during the summer months has a general cooling effect on surrounding air and can lower hard surface temperatures up to 35 degrees F. Trees are an important wildlife habitat. They provide nesting sites for birds and support a wide range of insects that are an important food source for birds and other wildlife. Trees lining streets give the impression of narrowing the street and encourage slower driving. Trees along streets also provide a buffer between pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Imagine sitting in the hot sun on a baking, 30-foot brick sidewalk downtown; it’s not a place folks will want to linger. The benefits of including trees in our business district are countless, and it’s not too late to request that trees be included in the plan. Please consider calling or writing the select board and voicing your concern ASAP. Let’s make sure that we try to make this project the best we can make it for current and future residents and business owners of Wiscasset.

Leslie Roberts

Wiscasset