I am pleased to see that other people have noticed the sudden disappearance of trees along the fence line on Mount Auburn Avenue. I would like to add a few facts regarding this horrible crime.

First of all, those trees that were butchered are the property of the citizens of Auburn. I might add that the chain-link fence is also the property of the city. The fence on both sides of that 25-year-old road establishes the right of way. That section of roadway was built by the Maine Department of Transportation about the same time the Auburn Mall was built. Once it was built, the city took over the plowing and general maintenance of the roadway, including the pruning of established tree growth. .

Now, what should happen with the loss of those trees? First, before someone sneaks out and pulls up all the stumps, they need to be accurately measured. That is the quantity and diameter of each and every species. Once that is done, the state still has a planting plan from the original construction. The mall needs to pay a penalty of at least $750 per inch of diameter of every cut tree, plus full restoration of all plantings in like size.

This could get very expensive, but they can afford it. It is my understanding that the state is already involved in this, and they should handle any contract to re-establish the plantings along this roadway.

We will all see what happens.

Richard McGuinness, Auburn

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