Dear Paul,

With revulsion, I learned of the wanton destruction of trees in the preparation for the Solomon Schechter School on W. Hartsdale Avenue. The bulldozers were on the grounds the day after the approval on the part of the Town for construction: evidently, the need for speed overcame any need for responsible oversight on the part of the School, their agents, or the Town. After the fact, I learned, a Violation was imposed and the School said they would plant new trees. In twenty years, give or take, the destroyed trees may be replaced.

If the School was not responsible enough to see to it that the ecology was of some importance, is it not likely that other promises made by the School to the Town and its residents may not be kept? I am particularly concerned about the potential danger to children of the two facing schools and those of the residents by what will undoubtedly be increasingly frustrated traffic, and wonder who will be held responsible in case of unwanted tragedy.

Your Report of 6/29 cited the approval of the building as "An example of neighborhood/developers working together!" The events described above do not support that "example." Please convey my dissatisfaction to those School officers responsible.

Sincerely,

Laurence Loeb, MD
Stone Oaks

PAUL FEINER

PS: I was on vacation last week so sorry for the delay in responding to your e mail