Planning Board approves rail trail tree removal at Old Lancaster Road crossing

SUDBURY — December 18, 2024 — Sudbury Planning Board clears MassDOT to remove scenic-road oak and pine for rail trail solar beacons. The board voted 3-0 on Dec. 18 to remove a 36-inch oak and a 15-inch pine at 223 Old Lancaster Road, where shade was draining the batteries on rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail crossing. Project representative Marcia Rasmussen told members removal would avoid "a $50,000 bill" for permanent electric service; member Anuraj Shah called the distressed oak "the opposite of scenic." Conditions require full stump removal and a replacement oak on the crossing's north side. The board also released lot 3 at 10 Nolan Circle from the Landham Estates covenant after Scott Poirier reported an offer letter signed Tuesday on the project's last undeveloped parcel, approved a 696-square-foot porch reconstruction at 72 Wayside Inn Road, and sent its draft accessory dwelling unit bylaw to KP Law after the town planner concluded new state regulations require a by-right ADU pathway.