Ward 21 alder here - I'll look into getting these shrubs replaced after the repair work is complete at the fire station.

Thx. Plz keep us posted.

Not fixed yet, but promises made. Commenting only to keep this issue alive on SeeClickFix.

Hi John, I spoke with the Chief and Assistant Chief about this and got their assurance that the shrub would be replaced. First the repairs must be made to the firehouse, including asbestos mitigation. Once the repairs are completed, which may take a couple months, the shrubs will be replaced. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything further on the issue.

Just keeping this stream alive while the fire station undergoes renovations.

Thanks, @John. Do any of you have thoughts about what should be planted? Would replacing the hedges with new hedges make sense?

I’ll ask some of our more horticultural my inclined neighbors..

Sorry for the silence. We think whatever is planted should be green year round. I suspect the previous hedge was removed to give the fireman more room to park their vehicles. So, maybe a hedge closer to the sidewalk and well trimmed? I'm not sure.

I’m no landscaping expert, but it seems that a nice boxwood hedge would be appropriate and relatively easy to maintain with trimming once or maybe twice a year. It’ll remain green year round, too, and will nicely camouflage the parking lot without being intrusive.

Thanks - I'll pass along this feedback.

Not yet fixed. Just keeping this issue alive until the fire station renovation is complete and its time to plant.

Thank you, John!

Hi All - I've followed up with the Fire Department about placing an evergreen hedge to block the view of cars in the parking lot as much as possible. The assistant chief of administration said he will reach out to Parks about this.

Thanks, Steve! Hopefully it’ll get planted well before winter.

(Pardon if this is a duplicate. I thought I had sent it, but I don't find it on the stream). Steve, now the run around has begun. On May 15 you reported that the FD said it would deal with the issue when feasible, that is, when the renovations were complete. Now, two and one half months later, the FD is suggesting that this is the Parks Dept responsibility. If that is the case, the FD should have notified the Parks Dept on May 16. As they didn't, Parks is likely to come back with "it's not in the budget" or some such, and we will be looking at 2019. I hope it is your role to point out to the FD that they accepted responsibility for this issue on May 15, and now it is time for them to deliver. If they need to work something out later with Parks, so be it; but that is not a reason to delay the fix that was agreed upon. Thx. John

Hi John, I can understand your skepticism but I don't think I am being given the run around. If I am, I'll get to the bottom of it. Because asbestos was found in the building, renovation took significantly longer than originally anticipated. The Parks Department handles the plant selection and planting - they've requested the dimensions so that they can plant what they think is appropriate. Parks cautioned that the hedges may not screen as much initially as best results come from planting less mature hedges that will need room to grow as they establish.

Responding to keep this issue alive. Steve21, any update? John

Hi John, thanks for staying on this. We're working to coordinate a meeting between the appropriate people at Parks and Fire. It looks like it will take place early next week but not yet confirmed.

Hi All - the Parks Department recommended planting a row of Arbor Vitae (see here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=776 ). The old hedges were removed because they were damaged, likely by snow plowing. Another alternative would be to put a fence up. Do you all prefer vegetation to a fence?

Plantings are almost always preferable to fences.

Ravenclaw, thx for commenting. Any other neighbors listening in are welcome to comment.

Steve21, I have emailed several neighbors who have expressed an interest in this issue but may not be motivated to use SeeClickFix. If, when I get some replies, i will update you. Thx.

vegetation, please!

I'm a neighbor and I like the Arbor Vitae idea.

Arbor Vitae are a great idea! They’ll grow rapidly and if planted close enough together will make a great screen.

Steve21, I started this SeeClickFix issue. It seems that Arbor Vitae is the overwhelming favorite. Let's go with that. Hopefully this fall. Thx. John

Thanks, everyone. I will circle back and let you know what I hear.

Following up to let you know that I've relayed the choice of Arbor Vitae to NHFD. If it's possible it might make sense to put a fence behind the Arbor Vitae (between the plantings and the firehouse) to protect the plantings from snow plowing.

Completely agree steve21! No sense spending time and money on plantings that will be plowed over and need replacing each Spring.

I’m entering this note primarily to keep this issue alive. Steve21, any update?

Hi John - thanks for checking in. I checked in with NHFD and Parks about this this week. Parks is working on a memo that outlines what potential options for this will cost.

Steve21
We think it's too late to do plantings this fall, but we do not want attention on this issue to lapse until the spring; rather, we would like the city to keep working on things so that planting can occur at an appropriate time in the spring. How can we help going about facilitating that?

John

If the planting can be done before the ground freezes, it should be fine. Trees and shrubs go dormant in the Winter, making it actually a good time to plant as they don't require much in the way of water or maintenance. I'm sure Parks is aware of this, but it might bear reminding them. If they can be planted in the coming month, we'll all be able to enjoy watching them come alive in Spring!

Hi All - thanks for checking in about this. I think it is likely too late to plant this fall. We have gotten pricing estimates for 3 foot and 5 foot arbor vitae for the spring. I can work on making sure other details (e.g. the soil and the work crew) are taken care of so that things are ready to go in the spring.

Steve21, thx for pursuing this. Planting in spring would be good.

Steve21, I'm primarily writing to keep this issue alive. While I'm at it, has a budget for this project been determined and approved. This is something that could be done during these cold winter months.

Hi John - great question - we are working on finalizing a budget. It looks like the City may work with the Urban Resources Initiative on the planting and it'd be great to get neighbors and firemen from Whitney Station to assist Urban Resources Initiative with the planting. Would you or others on this chain be interested in helping with planting the trees in the Spring?

Steve21
Thx for the update. Unfortunately, planting is not one of my interests.
John

Sure thing. We'll need help digging holes for the plants as well :)

FD could solve their parking lot issue by adding a short blacktop connection from the south end of the lot to the main apron on Whitney Ave allowing vehicles to enter on Lawrence and exit on to Whitney. Most vehicles in the lot are trucks and it is difficult to back them out on to Lawrence. The shrubs were taken down to give the firemen more room to maneuver. Rather than deal with the parking lot some on duty fireman park their trucks on Lawrence. Look into the connection idea as I might be a simple solution.

Hi All - I'm excited to report that arbor vitae have been ordered and the Urban Resources Initiative will lead the planting in April. Is anyone interested in helping with the planting in the spring? It'd be great to have some neighbors, as well as some firefighters, participate.

@Kevin Coady, I can look into the connection idea.

Just writing to keep this issue open on SeeClickFix.

I'm writing primarily to keep this SeeClickFix message string alive.

I'm writing to keep this SeeClickFix message string alive.

I'm writing to keep this SeeClickFix message string alive.

Hi All - the trees should arrive by the end of this month. Is anyone interested in helping with planting?

The schedule is flexible: we can pick a date on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in April.

Happy to help. I assume the City will provide a backhoe and soil. Not a job for a rag tag bunch of shovelers and sidewalk superintendents.

The City says: We will be working with shovels (and we will bring plenty of extras if others want to help), and we will also be bringing compost to amend the existing soil. We will bring those materials on our trucks the day of the planting.

Kevin, is there a day that works well for you?

Are others interested in helping?

April 16th works. Thx

Hi All - the trees have arrived so the Urban Resources Initiative has gone ahead and scheduled 8 am to 2 pm Tuesday April 2nd for planting. @Kevin Coady, I know this isn't the date you suggested but I hope you can make it. If others are interested in joining please email me at ward21@newhavenct.gov or comment here.

Thanks!

Steve, I started this. Thanks for seeing it through. Regrets regarding the garden party. John

John, thanks for getting this started! I'm glad we could get this done!

Steve21. Not quite “the dog ate my homework” but I will be in France celebrating my wife’s 70th birthday. Please cut me some slack. Seriously, thanks for the effort, I’m sure it will look great!

Steve21 and Neighbors

Good work! And, the system worked! Thx.

Thanks for fixing this request!

Thanks for fixing this request!

This is great. Post a photo!