Eversource 2021
tree removal

Residents Object to DPW, Eversource Cutting Down Trees in Their Neighborhoods, First Selectman Responds [UPDATES]

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UPDATE, 2:59 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson sent this statement to Darienite.com, referring to Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral:

“Ms. Feral is correct in that I was attempting to appeal to her sense of public safety. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the conversation when she hung up after calling me ‘ridiculous’ for suggesting a child could catch a tire on the heaving sidewalk and fall into the street in that heavily trafficked area. I love trees too but the safety of our residents will always come first.”

Stevenson also said in an email to concerned residents of the Littlebrook Road area: “No tree removal work will occur until 1) we walk the street again with Eversource, 2) a public hearing is held and 3) a replanting plan is presented to stakeholders, including Little Brook residents impacted by the planned removals.” UPDATE, 12:58 p.m.:

Friends of Animals sent Darienite.com this statement quoting the organization’s president, Priscilla Feral, referring to her talk with First Selectman Jayme Stevenson about tree removal:

“I agree the conversation did not go well. However there wasn’t any name calling.

Outdoors
Friends of Animals tree removal

Friends of Animals Staff Confronts Town Workers to Prevent Removal of Trees

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While Friends of Animals’ work extends internationally, Monday morning it hit close to home—literally outside a window of the organization’s downtown Darien headquarters at the corner of Sedgwick Avenue and the Post Road. “A crew from the Darien Public Works Department began the removal of the first of four HEALTHY trees abutting sidewalks around our office building,” a news release from the animal advocacy organization said. “Friends of Animals’ staff stood in front of the second 100-year-old tree, forcing the crew to stop what they were doing and leave until town officials could hear FoA’s reasons for opposing the dreadful plan.” At least one tree was removed by the DPW, and a tree remains on Sedgewick Avenue. The remaining tree now has a sign on it, saying, “Removing this healthy tree is a crime against nature and humanity.”

Animals

Friends of Animals: April is Prevent a Litter Month — Here’s a Solution That Works

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April marks Darien-based Friends of Animals’ annual “Prevent A Litter” campaign, which aims to convince pet owners to spay or neuter their pets since it is the best way to combat the single largest killer of cats and dogs — euthanasia of unwanted, homeless animals. And FoA’s low-cost certificate program makes litter prevention affordable. — an announcement from Friends of Animals
FoA’s nationwide spay/neuter program facilitates the surgeries of more than 25,000 dogs and cats annually through its network of approximately 850 veterinarians, and it is the non-profit leader for affordable spay/neuter efforts. FoA’s program has surpassed 2.8 million procedures, preventing countless births. “Our campaign’s goal is to first persuade people to adopt, not shop, which means visiting an animal shelter or rescue group first when they decide to expand their family.