To the Editor:

Imagine my surprise to wake up one morning more than two weeks ago to the jarring sound of chainsaws and, as I looked out my window, finding men cutting down the 30-year-old silver maple shade tree that my father had planted for me shortly before he passed away.

Naturally, I rushed outside to try and discern what was happening and who authorized cutting the tree. I was told that the tree company was operating under the express orders of the mayor and the village department of public works. Upon further questioning, I learned that this wanton destruction was being done in order to install a five-and-a-half-foot wide cement sidewalk.

In the ensuing days, I watched and lamented that all the beautiful and historic bluestone sidewalks were being ripped up and my cedars, rose bushes, iris garden, and golden glow flowers were being cut and trampled.

Why a second cement sidewalk on Grand Street is so important eludes me when only one block away, Lark Street has no sidewalks.

Now I fully understand that the current administration has not accomplished much of anything of note, but I wonder why the residents of Grand Street were not notified in advance of this project. How difficult would it have been to dictate a letter that outlined what was to happen in the guise of “progress?”

I can only surmise that the lack of communication was either a mistake, or perhaps a deliberate attempt to thwart any negative response from the residents.

For some reason, all work has come to a halt and, for the time being, all we have now is a muddy, ugly stretch along what was once a lovely walk in front of well-maintained and historic homes. I think the residents deserve better.

Jerry Oliver

Altamont