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STRATFORD — Town Tree Warden Kelly Kerrigan has requested that the Town Council revisit plans for the Longbrook Park tennis court project to see if fewer mature trees can be taken down with an alternate layout, according to a message released on the town website Thursday.

The decision comes after multiple residents questioned at a public hearing on the project the decision to take down eight trees in the park.

Nearly 30 speakers attended the hearing on Feb. 24 to voice their opinions on the project, including state Rep. Joe Gresko and council member Kaitlyn Shake. Many were opposed because of the removal of the trees and a few voiced support for the tennis courts.

The council will discuss the request at its meeting at 8 p.m. on Monday, according to Town Council Chair Chris Pia. A public forum begins at 7 p.m.

“The tree warden did request that the Town Council look at an alternative solution and we will be taking that up on Monday night,” Pia said. “(Kerrigan) is going to be presenting an alternative solution based off of listening to the community from that public hearing and the council will hear it and determine how they want to move forward.”

After the public hearing in late February, Kerrigan said that at least some trees will have to be removed regardless of the orientation of the new tennis courts, but this move would open up the possibility for fewer than the eight trees currently marked to go.

“This outcome wouldn’t have been possible without the record number of Stratford residents submitting their appeal and participating in the public hearing,” Shake, who was an active voice of opposition, wrote in a…