I’m 86 and my husband is 90 and disabled. We’re not young chicks anymore but we both drive. There’s a sycamore tree planted in front of my house I’ve been trying to have removed for more than two years. My street is a one-way heading east with plenty of traffic, and we have quite a problem getting out of the driveway. The tree blocks us from seeing the cars that are driving towards us.
--Eva Montagnino, Jericho
TIM-BER! Two trees that blocked the sightline from the Montagninos’ driveway were removed early Thursday morning, less than four days after we called Nassau County.
Ian Siegel, Deputy Nassau County Executive for parks and public works, said the job would be done within 30 days, but when he related the problem to his boss, Tom Suozzi, Suozzi ordered the removal expedited.
Siegel said it’s the county’s policy not to take down living trees, but exceptions are made in an “extreme situation.”
Although Montagnino had been complaining for years, it was to the wrong municipality. She lives on a county road and her complaints to the town weren’t forwarded to the county until May, Siegel said.
“This is just a classic example of confusion that's created by so many different jurisdictions and municipalities,” Siegel said.
Nassau residents who live on a county road and want to report a problem, click here for a list of Department of Public Works phone numbers.
Also related to this topic:
*Town of Oyster Bay Tree Removal Form
*Town of Brookhaven Tree Preservation Laws
