The natural sound barrier at the end of Thompson Road was completely removed by the state DOT. The noise of traffic on Rt. 3 is less than 100 feet away. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Within the last month, the trees and shrubs that shielded Scott Martin’s home from the noise of Rt. 3 have been removed — courtesy of the state Department of Transportation.

Located at the end of Birch Brow Road, his home is just 70 feet from the on-ramp at exit 4.

“The DOT has completely removed not only the brush, but they have removed most of our trees right up to our property lines,” said Martin, adding that neither the residents nor the city were aware of the project. “The city had no clue that this job was happening and that it would effect residents to this magnitude. The DOT should have had a permanent and temporary plan in place for the noise and unsightly view.”

Martin said the clear cutting has had a significant impact on the property values in the neighborhood.

“It would be extremely difficult for residents to sell these properties and relocate, this has greatly depreciated our values,” he said. “No one would want to live over here now.”

In a follow up interview with The Telegraph, DOT spokesperson Richard Arcand explained why the vegetation was removed.

“The main focus on this maintenance effort was cleaning up the area of dead trees which had fallen on properties abutting the state land,” he said, adding that the drainage pipes and catch basins needed to be opened up. Arcand also said that prior to the clear cutting, the fire gate and fire hydrant were not easily accessible.

“In the future, the department will be more proactive in contacting the abutting [residents] to explain the work and the need for it,” he said.

Martin said he heard about the project from his son who called him at work, saying DOT crews were in the woods cutting trees down.

“There are only a few trees left,” Martin said, adding that the DOT was on site for two weeks.

The situation is even worse at the end of neighboring Thompson Road where the vegetation was completely removed. All that remains is a chain link fence.

“The highway work has permanently and maliciously effected the esthetics and sound quality to all of the residents at the ends of Birchbrow Road and Thompson Road,” said Martin.

Ian Kaeding of Thompson Road also expressed his frustration with the DOT.

“My wife and I, like our neighbors, are outraged at what they did,” he said. “The complete lack of communication leading up to it and the lack of care following the job.”

When the project ended, Martin contacted the DOT to get some answers. Two weeks later, he received an apology from the department for not notifying the residents about the clear cutting. He was also told that funding for a new sound barrier would not be available for 10 years.

“There should be a change to the state budget to address sound barriers,” said Martin.

He reached out to the Governor’s Office, Nashua’s state and federal delegation as well as the Mayor’s Office. All to no avail.

“I can’t believe that the Mayor’s Office wouldn’t have at least responded,” he said. “We were hoping that the Mayor’s Office would be our advocates.”

However, in a follow up interview with The Telegraph, Emily Vassar, coordinator of Constituent Services, said the city will be sending a letter to the DOT on behalf of the residents in that neighborhood.

“We are advocating for them,” she said

Martin also contacted Alderman-at-Large Benjamin Clemons. This time, he got a response.

“I truly appreciate Ben for being the only voice of reason thus far,” said Martin.

Clemons told him the Board of Aldermen is working to amend the city’s Fence Ordinance. The change would allow residents, who have lost their natural sound barrier, to put up a fence without having to request a variance. They would only need a building permit.

“It’s a bit more complicated than you’d think,” Clemons said in an email to Martin.

Once the aldermen have read the proposed change, a public hearing would be needed as well as approval from the Planning Board.

“I would suspect it would wrap up and hopefully pass the Board of Aldermen and become law in late-November or early-December,” said Clemons.

While helpful, Martin said a taller fence is not a permanent solution.

“This is an extremely costly, temporary fix that’s placed on the residents,” he said. “There has to be a plan for a sound barrier.”