why don't you move closer to Albany International regular guy?

Which do you prefer, a sgraggley looking pine tree in your yard or a burning jet that hit it. Think before you talk. The standards for clear zones around airports are set by the FAA not the local towns. The Airport has been there much longer than the house or that ugly tree. The Airport needs to be safe to use. If an airplane crashes it would be the "Bush's" fault.

Then why did they wait until this devolpment was built to take down the trees?
Furthermore,I like trees, much more than an open field. It invades these people's privacy. It is not just one tree, as you must well know, since you claim you live next to the airport...? Where would that be exactly, is there another side I haven't seen? Do you have lights from the airport coming in at night? Do you have an unobstructed view?
I do think before I speak, and I, unlike you, have no hidden agenda in this.

Last I checked trees get taller over time. The trees in question had grown into the clear zone that was required for a safe operation on runway 05 at the airport. Would you rather a tree service stop once a year and take off last years growth? Two years earlier a Lear Jet owned by Brad Paisley hit a tree at night. It was lucky he wasn't a couple of feet lower. More than likely the house would have hit by a 20,000 pound burning aircraft. Which would you prefer, a burning airplane or cut a few trees down. By the way I didn't claim to live next to the airport. I flew jets out of that airport. I would not land on runway 05 at night because of those trees. The Lear jet pilots didn't have the benefit of local knowledge about the trees. Lights on airplane are intended to illuminate the runway when the plane is close to landing. They don't turn day into night.

if I lived there I would prefer a tree service trimming. Besides, the devolpment builders and the realtors knew that they were going to clear cut but withheld that info. It's such a small airport, jets shouldn't be landing at night anyway. They should land during the day or go to Albany

Have you ever heard of buyer beware. It's not the builders responsiblity to sell a perfect house. It's the buyers responsiblity to buy the perfect house, FOR THEM. I'll bet they drove right by the airport when looking for that house. If they bought that house because of a few scraggley pine trees, they should retake House Buying 101.

Now that the trees are gone it is perfectly safe to land on that 60 year old runway while flying right over that 5 year old house, day or night. If the occupants don't like the airplanes, move.

I live near the airport and it is AWFUL to watch the town allow hundreds of trees be torn down. I understand that building is going to happen, but the Town of Milton needs to reconsider its zoning laws and protect some of these trees. It is really sad. Requiring developers to maintain a certain percentage of mature trees on any building site would discourage quick building and encourage more thoughtful, responsible development.

As usual, no one has presented a rational argument to keep those trees that makes one bit of sense. People that buy a house within a mile of an airport and expect the serenity of a Buddist Temple are living in a dream world. Since you all seem to be so concerned for the trees, I would suggest you charter a small aircraft for a short ride around the area. If think we have a TREE SHORTAGE in this state, see for yourself, we don't. If a person wants a heavily tree'd homestead, I would recommend not living near an airport.

This isn't about tree shortages or safety anymore. The "Offending" trees have been removed and the cutting continues farther from the airport than you would expect. A full 1/2 mile from the end of runway 5 trees are being removed on Stone Church. And we're still in "Phase 1" of three phases. They're clear cutting full lots in Kaydeross Estates now.

Dennis, it is about safety. Unless you've flown a large aircraft into Saratoga County airport, or any airport for that matter, you wouldn't understand why the trees are a hazard. This was not a shoot from the hip decision by a county leader. It was required by the FAA to keep air travel safe. That airport has been there longer than any house affected by the cutting. Most, if not all, the homeowners signed airport easements. The homeowners have no valid argument.

The "full 1/2 mile" you spoke of may seem like a great distance, but it less than 15 seconds when in the landing configuration of jet aircraft.

I am the owner of this house in question and it is a terrIble drastic. DramatIc change it is so much more then the trees missing it is and was all my. Privacy . Not to mention the increase of the wind across my property which is now causing a dust bowl. It honestly feels like I have been places in a field somewhere in Kansas . This has honestly changed so much in my life including the stress lacK of sleep due to there work and the inconvenience I now deal with everyday

It looks like a tornado went through Rowland street where they cut all the trees and planted these little 5 foot trees that we will not live long enough to see them mature. Since they have made this mess, the planes are still flying directly over our home, not in the cleard area. What is the purpose in doing this? When the wind blew the other day, there was very little visability in that area as I was trying to go to the Hannaford store. It is like a disaster ready to happen. Speed limit to high on Rowland St.

As a Pilot who lands at the airport on a regular basis, the clearing of the tree has been a positive thing. The closeness and height of the trees in direct line with the airport runways were a danger to pilots, aircraft and homes in the vicinity of the airport had an accident happened.

Area looks terrible now. All for a few flights by the wealthy during Track season. There are ZERO flights from Saratoga County airport to any other airport, available to the public. Taxpayer funded, for the benefit of the wealthy few.

The trees are gone so guess it is a non-issue except for the wool being pulled over our eyes by the officials. ACW

re the turn signal on geyser rd. to indicate a rt turn onto stone church - don't official ever read this column?
and where are the sheriffs when loud motored cars race up and down stone church; and try and call a town official re dogs out of control and 4 wheelers running around their property; ;and cutting down trees leaving less sight protection and privacy between houses.

re comments by country woman - totally agree - bet I know where she lives. Good luck to all of us as no one does read this column that is willing to do anything about the above issues. Trees cannot be replaced but turn signals can be put back - since it was originally there. Smaller roads around the area have turn signs - Geyser is getting very busy so the turn signal might just help - also good when giving directions to someone trying to find our homes. (guest)