UPDATED: NSTAR Cuts Trees at Saxonville Beach

UPDATED at 10 a.m. with NSTAR comments

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Saxonville beach is no longer a serene oasis, according to one resident. And she is not alone in her outrage over NSTAR cutting the trees at the town's beach, located off Route 126.

"NSTAR devastated Saxonville Beach. They came back to make sure even the small trees and wildlife are gone ... so sad. Not a serene oasis anymore," said Framingham resident Joan Calderone.

"So unnecessary and such a terrible impact on the aesthetics. I'm so sad about it," said Saxonville resident Audrey Hall.

Calderone told Framingham Patch that NSTAR said they were "protecting consumers from power outages from the hurricane coming up the coast."

"Seriously?" said Calderone. "This had nothing to do with this possible hurricane, as we all know."

NSTAR told WBZ-TV it has made improvements to ensure quicker response the next time the area is hit with a major storm.

"Trees are the number one cause of power outages and one tree coming in contact with a high-voltage transmission line, or even coming too close to it, can interrupt power to tens-of-thousands of customers," said NSTAR spokesperson Michael Durand.

But Saxonville residents disagree with NSTAR's assessment of the situation.

"They even cut down trees that wouldn't possibly get near the wires. Many were maybe 12 feet tall, lining the border of the parking lot and path to the beach," said Calderone.

Framingham resident Christine Suau said she is upset about the "devastation that NSTAR continues to create."

"It's absolutely heartbreaking," looking at Saxonville Beach.

Hall, a Town Meeting member for Precinct 3, which represents Saxonville, told Framingham Patch she heard Framingham Parks & Recreation "negotiated a replanting plan for the beach with NSTAR."

She said she has no idea what the plan looks like.

"Right now the whole area looks like a high wire and pole farm because that's all you see across vast open space. The town has a lot if work to do to beautify its designated "scenic road," said Hall.

"We previously discussed the level of work needed at Saxonville Beach with town officials and agreed at the time to delay it until after this year's beach season," said Durand. "We've completed our tree removal work there, ground the tree stumps and are currently working with Weston Nurseries on the upcoming planting of lower growing species that are compatible with our lines."

Framingham Patch was the first to report on NSTAR's tree cutting in Framingham in late May. It began when residents contacted Patch to tell us about tree cutting at Reardon Park and Playground.

Later, NSTAR began cutting trees in other Framingham neighborhoods and then moved into neighboring communities of Sudbury and Wayland cutting trees.

At one point, NSTAR agreed to a moratorium on cutting, but it was short-lived.

Selectmen once held NSTAR permits hostage until they could get a clear explanation on why the tree cutting was happening and a complete report on NSTAR's tree cutting plans for the Town of Framingham.