The June 1 tornado traveled 39 miles destroying buildings and uprooting trees in a variety of communities including Springfield, West Springfield, Monson and Brimfield.
STURBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — More than a year after a tornado tore down trees around Sturbridge, residents of one of the town's hardest hit streets are waiting for tree stumps to be removed from town property.
The three stumps include a gargantuan uprooted stump that's left a huge hole in the ground.
Neighborhood resident Jennifer Novelline told the Telegram & Gazette that the stumps are daily reminder of a stressful time, but residents can't afford to get rid of them. One selectman compared it to being stuck with the town's trash on the street.
Town Administrator Shaun Suhoski told selectmen that only public safety concerns, not aesthetic concerns, are eligible for federal emergency assistance.
He said if the town can't tap recently announced state funds, a special town meeting would have to approve stump removal money.
The June 1, 2011 tornado traveled a total of 39 miles destroying homes, schools and ripping up trees in Springfield, Westfield, West Springfield, Monson, Brimfield and Wilbraham. Three people were killed.