A number of Dartmouth’s sidewalks could be removed to comply with Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, as the Planning Board voted to recommend the changes at a meeting on Aug. 24.

The decision came following a Department of Public Works report which found that on 43 of the town’s streets, 68 percent of the trees were found to cause damage to the nearby sidewalks. 

Board chair Lorri-Ann Miller said she was “kind of embarrassed” to have been on the board when these subdivisions were approved, noting that at the time she was assured the trees “wouldn’t do any harm.”

“This is damage that’s been done and we have to take care of this,” she added. 

According to ADA requirements, sidewalks must provide unobstructed access to wheelchair users. 

To address the problem, the DPW recommended three options: take an easement and move the sidewalk around the trees, remove the trees, or remove sidewalks that are not part of major roads.

The report noted the third option would be the most cost effective solution, costing $491,471. 

“This alternative is recommended for present remediation and future remediation with the implementation in future local road development in Dartmouth,” the report read.

Ultimately, the board voted for this option, with members noting it would be much more expensive to remove all of the trees — something the DPW estimated would cost $775,888. 

“It’s redundant to take the trees out now,” member Margaret Sweet said. “[If] you take down the tree, you’re still going to have damaged sidewalks.”

Vice chair Kevin Melo agreed.

“I live on one of these streets,” he said. “I hardly ever see anyone using my sidewalk — people always walk in the street.”

“I’d rather see these sidewalks go than the trees go in my neighborhood,” he added.

For new developments, the board recommends planting a breed of tree that would not interfere with any sidewalks.