Select Board Rejects National Grid Tree Removal
West Brookfield's Select Board voted down National Grid's request to remove 82 public shade trees for a solar interconnection project.
Select Board · Meeting of May 26, 2026
West Brookfield's Select Board voted down National Grid's request to remove 82 public shade trees for a solar interconnection project. Tree Warden Jim Daly said he had already negotiated the list down, saving 18 large trees, but the board rejected the removal on a vote that included member Henry among the no votes, after residents on Ragged Hill, Pierce and Lyon roads argued the Scenic Roads Act should block the work. Attorney David Fixler, representing developer Agilitas, countered the statute "requires repair, maintenance, reconstruction, or paving work done with respect to the road," which he said hasn't happened.
The board then tabled a related pole hearing and the community benefits agreement. Separately, the board cut $22,000 from vocational tuition, rescinded a Cabot Risk Strategies insurance vote for a roughly $24,000 cheaper quote, and named Trista Estrella interim town accountant at $56,750 a year after Donna Allard's retirement.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 1,120 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of May 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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