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- Description
- The tree is growing directly in front of our house, it's roots are growing deep underground and into our main sewer line. We have had our sewer line clogged and backed up twice in the last year alone from the roots. It has cost us over $1,000 just in the last year to clear the roots from our main sewer line. The water company says the sewer line from our home to the street curb is our responsibility each time we call about the clog. But the tree is city property. We are unsure of what to do to make sure this does not keep happening and it is unfair for us to continue to have to pay for the repairs when the cause is the city's tree. My wife and I are both elderly and retired, we do not make much money and cannot afford these additional costs every few months | Is this a City owned tree situated on the sidewalk: [Yes]
- Location
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5071 Washington St, West Roxbury, Ma, 02132
42.26488, -71.15366 - Photos
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Noted. For the BPRD Urban Forestry Division to consider removing a healthy public street tree for this reason, we need proof that the trees roots have caused the damage to the sewer lines. Proof needs to include pictures and invoices from a plumbing contractor which show the sewer line having been repaired and after said repair the trees roots caused new/further damage. Until the documentation is provided and the issue is investigated by the City Arborist the tree cannot be removed as it is protected by state law MGL CH 87. Proof should be sent to 1010 Massachusetts Ave Boston, MA 02118 3rd floor. Attn: Urban Forestry Division or emailed to (Parks@boston.gov) Attn: Urban Forestry Division. It should also be noted that tree roots do not have the ability to break into a sewer pipe. They will however grow into an already broken/compromised sewer pipe. Here is the link to the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, sewer lateral replacement program. https://www.bwsc.org/residential-customers/programs-and-guidelines/sewer-lateral-financial-assistance8i.
Activity
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