By Anthony Rifilato
, saying that they weren't notified before the MTA began cutting trees along the Babylon branch.
To the chagrin of Brooklyn Avenue residents, the LIRR began removing trees and shrubbery on its property that residents said has created an "eyesore" and a quality-of-life issue in their quaint residential neighborhood.
"We weren't even notified," said Denise Cassese, who lives between Pine and Grove Streets and is one of many residents who live across the street from the tracks. "I haven't spoken to anyone who received a notice before the work began."
The railroad's vegetation management program was launched over the summer, and is aimed at preventing leaves and trees from falling onto the tracks. According to the MTA LIRR, the leaves create an oily residue on the tracks, resulting in wheel slip-slide conditions that can impact service and has created a safety issue. The leaves and trees also obstruct the view of train engineers, according to an MTA spokesman.
Cassese and others said the trees and thick vegetation block the view of the tracks and keep out noise and dust from the trains that barrel past their homes.
"I take the railroad everyday, and now when I look out my window, I see tension wires and the train," said resident Kerry Troy. "I understand why the railroad is doing it. I've been stuck on a train because of a downed tree. But it doesn't have to look so terrible. It's just gone from one extreme to another."
The MTA began removing the trees on Brooklyn Ave. in September, Cassese said. The result, residents said, is a barren stretch of dirt and weeds, and the tracks, which are perched on a rise, are in full view. Cassese also said the work has led to easier access to the tracks from the street, and that a fence on Chestnut Street was removed when work began, creating a safety hazard.
"It sounds terrible and looks terrible," said Cassese, who has lived on Brooklyn Ave. for 10 years. "Now, it looks like a war zone. Our main issue is noise control, and it's become an eyesore. It's so much louder already. Just the brake dust alone is a problem. They're wiping everything out."
Some residents have lived in area for over 50 years, and Cassese and others said this is the first time the railroad has initiated such a project. "This has always been a tree-lined block for over 50 years," Cassese. "They have never done anything like this. Instead of fixing it up, they're completely wiping it out."
Work stopped along Brooklyn Avenue after Cassese and others complained, although MTA spokesman Mike Charles said the work in that area would continue.
"It's a major concern," Charles said. "The leaves create a condition called slip-slide. We started in areas that have been found to historically have a lot of leaves and vegetation. The worst part of the year is fall and early winter. We have had a number of representatives going around the area, and the tree trimming has been taking place on railroad property. This is the first time a concerted effort has been made in areas that have caused problems in the past."
But for residents, the bare block is unacceptable, not to mention what they said was insufficient notification.
"They just showed up one day and started cutting," said Troy.
The MTA did send a notice to residents in the area, Cassese said. But the notices were received after work had begun, saying that work began on Sept. 29, before she received her notice on Oct. 1.
"Everybody's pretty upset about it," she said. "There should be some kind of compromise."
Cassese and other residents said they reached out to Town Councilman Anthony Santino and Nassau County Legislator Joe Scannell.
"Obviously I'm very disappointed," Santino said. "If there are safety concerns, that has to be paramount. But that was a buffer between residents and the tracks. We're going to try to work with the railroad to put something back that provides a natural look which screens the residents from the railroad."
Charles said they would be willing to work with local municipalities like the town, adding that the LIRR has been planting new trees in some areas.
"We do ask residents to give us a call and we have been placing trees in some areas," Charles said. "We're willing to work with them to put up vegetation that won't present a problem with falling trees or leaves."
For now, however, resident Rosemarie Rowley has to contend with the "eyesore" in front of her home.
"They cleared the trees in front of my house and now I have absolutely no privacy," she said. "I have a big picture window in the front, and now if I want privacy, I have to keep my blinds drawn the whole time, not to mention the noise. It's gotten so much louder. They really need to do something about this."
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