Commission delays decision on 21-tree removal

Conservation · Meeting of October 28, 2026

Reading's Conservation Commission continued a hearing on removing 21 trees at 589 Pearl Street, pushing for more canopy and fewer shrubs. Homeowner Thomas Shumway said mature pines on a wetland embankment, five already dead, threaten his home and his young children, but members including Vice Chair Brian Bowe said his replanting plan leaned too heavily on blueberry bushes and willow stakes: "I think taking out 21 trees without some snags is not good policy." Chair Martha Moore said a shed inherited within the wetland buffer "is no structure for a reason" and must eventually move. The case returns November 18.

The commission also approved certificates of compliance for Birch Meadow Park Phase 2 and 20 Nugent Lane, both 6-0, with the Nugent Lane owner paying $250 into the town's shade tree fund over one dead tree.

In the full story:

• Roll Call and Administrative Matters
• 695 Pearl Street: Continued Hearing
• 589 Pearl Street: Tree Removal Request
• Birch Meadow Park Phase 2: Certificate of Compliance
• 20 Nugent Lane: Certificate of Compliance
• Administrator's Report, Old and New Business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,298 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.