Edgartown selectmen approved the removal of a shade tree at 73 North Water St. Monday.
Brian Mann purchased the property in 1995, and told selectmen the tree was “OK for a while,” but after major storms, limbs would break off and come down. “I’m just concerned the whole tree is ready to come down,” Mann said.
Mann is planning to do construction on his home, and asked selectmen for permission to remove the tree, but committed to replanting a new tree.
Mann was given until May 2020 to replace the tree.
In other business, Sgt. Thomas Smith of the Edgartown Police Department will return as a special officer to do road detail. Smith retired on March 15 after more than 30 years on the job.