Critics: Tree crew needlessly damaged old Tiverton wall

Tree was one of many brought down by night storm

By Bruce Burdett
Posted 10/24/19

TIVERTON — They were grateful to see a fallen tree removed and damaged wires fixed, but some Nanaquaket area residents were less pleased with the rough treatment that they said an old stone wall …

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Critics: Tree crew needlessly damaged old Tiverton wall

Tree was one of many brought down by night storm

Posted

TIVERTON — They were grateful to see a fallen tree removed and damaged wires fixed, but some Nanaquaket area residents were less pleased with the rough treatment that they said an old stone wall received in the process.

Parts of the Nanaquaket Road area was among many places without power last Thursday in the wake of a powerful wind and rain storm raced through the night before. Along Nanaquaket Road at South Court, a large maple tree fell onto the road, power lines and a stone wall.

Neighbor Leonard Schmidt said that around 9 a.m., crews arrived, eventually including RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT), National Grid, and Davey Tree Co. (a firm contracted by National Grid).

After considerable time spent clearing away branches, “the crew commenced pulling the trunk aside and off the wall and downed electrical wires,” Mr. Schmidt said.

“It was obvious much greater damage was being caused to the wall to the extent that a 22-foot section was literally destroyed (the tree initially damaged only a 6- to 8-foot section).”

“Several onlooking neighbors and myself asked … that the big tree trunk be lifted or sawed up in place - they refused to listen and … proceeded to tear up the wall.”

Mr. Schmidt, a history enthuisiast who volunteers as a docent at the Naval War College Museum, said the wall was well made and, from what he has learned, quite old — probably around 200 years.

“The stone walls and ancient trees on Nanaquaket are remnants of the wagon road that extended the length of the peninsula,” he said, and are among the reasons he and his wife chose to build a house there.

“While this is not an earth shattering incident, it is really disheartening to see the unnecessary damage, the inconsiderate response and to realize there was a better way to do this job.”

RIDOT spokesman Charles St. Martin said that RIDOT was not involved in the actual tree removal. “RIDOT’s role was to reopen the roadway after (it was) cleared by Grid. We do not go onto private property to remove or otherwise cut up downed trees.”

Ted Kresse, spokesman for National Grid, did not comment on specifics about the incident.

He did respond that, “If a customer has a concern about potential property damage, they can contact our claims department at 781-907-3930 or fill out a claim online at https://nationalgridus.tfaforms.net/384. 

One of many to fall

Emergency workers were kept busy last Thursday by trees and wires down all over town.

Police were called for several trees and wires down in or near the roadway, including at Nanaquaket Road, Stone Church Road, Captain’s Circle, South Lake Road, Fish Road ramp to Route 24, Fort Barton School, Russell Drive, Hilton Street, Crandall Road, South Court (causing small fire), Brayton Road (causing small fire), etc.

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