KENNEBUNK – The town of Kennebunk will remove jagged pieces of tree roots and stumps that were exposed on Gooch’s Beach after winter storms washed away sand.

Town officials are concerned that swimmers or surfers could become snagged on the wood pieces, which are covered at high tide. 

The town consulted the Maine Department of Environmental Protection before the decision was made to remove wood that looks “like a group of prongs coming out of the ground,” said Town Manager Barry Tibbetts.

The town will not dig up stumps, some of which have become smooth from exposure to the tides, Tibbetts said.

“We’re after sharp objects that stick up out of the ground and would catch somebody,” he said.

The work will be done during the next two weeks, depending on the tides.