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DEAR EDITOR:
There is a portion of North River Road in Howland Township from its terminus at Niles Cortland Road, west about a mile where several trees have been planted in the Clear Zone, very close to the edge of the pavement.
The Clear Zone is the unobstructed, traversable area provided beyond the edge of the traveled lane for the recovery of errant vehicles. There should be no obstructions within the Clear Zone, which for a 45 mph street is 19 feet, but these trees have been intentionally planted at approximately five feet from the edge of the traveled way.
I called the Trumbull County Engineer's Office and spoke with the deputy engineer. He seemed appalled to hear about these trees and said, and I paraphrase, 'trees in the right of way are my pet peeve and I will cut them down myself.' I thought, wow, I have contacted the right guy. I followed up with an email asking him to keep me informed of the situation. A few days later, I received an email from him which was a forwarded email from the Howland Township planning director in which she stated that, and again I paraphrase, the trees were planted during the sidewalk construction project and that they are there because she likes trees.
I replied to both reiterating this was not an appropriate place for trees and they pose a safety issue to the public. Neither replied, and the deputy engineer would not take my calls or call back when I left a message.
It's very disappointing. I am requesting that the Trumbull County engineer and the Howland Township trustees, our elected officials, get together and investigate this situation and make sure that public safety is not being put in jeopardy for someone's personal preference.
Common sense tells you that a car will be going 45 mph or more, and trees should not intentionally be near each other.
GARY TANERI
Warren