The following notice is a call for action by Phoenixville residents.
The Shade Tree Advisory Commission is requesting comments regarding a potential change in a borough ordinance which would shift the costs associated with street tree trimming and removal from the borough to the property owner.
At least twice in the past, during my term as the last Chairman of the former Shade Tree Commission and during my Council tenure, a proposal to turn ownership of the street trees as well as the burden of maintenance to the property owner generated many negative responses from the public and the change was nixed. It can happen again if you do your part.
Tree planting and maintenance is numbered among those "services" provided by the borough of Phoenixville by way of our tax dollars. Hotly debated years ago, another similar Council ordinance mandated the costs of replacing sidewalks (as the tree matured and roots displaced and shifted the concrete) onto the property owner. The costs years ago for replacing just a few concrete sidewalk pads in front of our home was outrageous and undoubtedly even more so today.
While arguments are made regarding cuts to the ever increasing costs associated with services to the public, tree maintenance is not a high cost, high priority item for consideration.
Personally, I have given Council many ideas for other opportunities to reduce the impact on our borough's annual budget beginning with eliminating the costly CDC contract, a thorough examination is needed of all borough contracts, i.e., production costs for televising Council meetings, departmental reviews, energy saving devices and other ideas for borough owned facilities, and identifying and pursuing more "piggy-back" opportunities, along with others.
Among other suggested ideas to reduce costs while providing a lasting benefit is the creation of a Memorial Tree program for the public to purchase a tree to celebrate a birth, wedding, or an anniversary, or to commemorate the life of a family member or friend. This type of program would help also to replenish our borough trees.
A program of municipal supplied electricity could reduce the individual property owner and borough costs.
A solar farm currently proposed in Limerick should be investigated with an eye towards developing the same type of venture in Phoenixville.
Enough for now. Back to the original subject, the email I received on changing the ordinance on street trees.
Please, take the time to voice your concerns because if you don't, you may face additional annual bills for tree maintenance from hundreds of dollars for trimming to thousands for tree removal.
Send in your comments to the email address provided below.*
****
Borough of Phoenixville
Shade Tree Advisory Commission
140 Church Street, Phoenixville, Pa., 19460 610-933-8801
July 30, 2010
~ Public Comment Wanted ~
Borough of Phoenixville Tree Advisory Commission
The Tree Advisory Commission is seeking property owner comment regarding proposed changes to the Borough Ordinance Regulating Street Trees. (Chapter 25)
Under consideration is a change from “Borough responsibility for trimming, maintenance, and removal of regulated street trees” to one of, “abutting property owner responsibility for trimming, maintenance, and removal of regulated street trees.” (Similar to responsibility for curbs and sidewalks.)
Property owners are invited to make comment at the August 9, 2010 meeting of the Tree Advisory Commission, beginning at 6:30 PM at Borough Hall, 140 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA.
Comments may also be submitted by phone (610-933-8801) or email Sue Donato (sdonato@phoenixville.org)*.
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8 comments:
Thanks for this Karen. I sure didn't receive any notice this was happening. I already sent an email to Sue Donato opposed to this as I'm sure it would be a huge burden on those of us on fixed income and those who live in all the older parts of the Borough.
Thanks Karen for this info. I too am on a fixed retired income. What do they want blood out of a stone. Why should we bear the expense of this added cost. I had a tree planted in front of my home, I told them I did not want it and they still planted it anyway. Take it out and I will be happy. More costs every day for those who are just getting by on a fixed income and now they want more. No wonder seniors are selling their homes. This community gives no breaks to their seniors.
You're both welcome.
I sincerely hope that this information is going out to the community at large.
Good to see the community involved in the discussion regarding the transfer of ownership of borough street trees to residents!
Here is an article on the Shade Tree meeting by Dennis Wright, reporter for the Mercury.
Residents want Phoenixville to continue maintaining street trees
http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/08/10/news/srv0000009058197.txt
By Dennis J. Wright, dwright@pottsmerc.com
PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Shade Tree Commission heard from nearly 20 residents Monday evening regarding trimming issues and the possibility of the borough turning the tree trimming back over to homeowners.
Commission member Paul Kusko said it was the biggest crowd he's ever seen at a commission meeting. He told the audience the borough is dealing with budget issues.
"Every aspect of the budget is under review, including the shade tree commission," Kusko said.
He said there is a cost associated with maintaining a healthy, urban forest, especially an aging one. He said the large, mature trees provide an enormous amount of beauty and cooling shade, but they also require maintenance (such as trimming and disposing of dead branches) and eventually removal once they die or become hazardous.
"Nothing has been changed nor voted on," he said. "We were asked to make a recommendation to council. We want to be objective but we have to make that recommendation whether to change the ordinance or not. We have no decision-making powers. This is an idea that is being considered. We want to hear from the public to see what they have to say."
Kusko said talk of budget cuts has been a major topic of discussion in many municipalities during the recent economic downturn.
"Currently, by ordinance, the Borough of Phoenixville is responsible for the care and maintenance of regulated street trees, including the removal of those that are dead, dying, and/or hazardous," he said. "Amid tough budget conditions this is one borough service that is being considered for termination for the upcoming fiscal year. This would shift the responsibility of the maintenance and removal of regulated street trees back to the homeowners of properties abutting the right-of-way where the trees are located. Over the past four years the borough has been spending $40,000 to 80,000 per year on regulated street tree maintenance and removals."
Various residents stood and addressed the commission, informing them of tree trimming issues that they've been dealing with and wondering if the borough will take care of them.
Resident Nick Nauta said he is against the change in the ordinance.
"We feel the borough should leave it the way it is and try to get additional funding," Nauta said. "We've done our part by trimming 40 to 50 new trees and our neighbors are appreciative. We don't want the burden on the homeowners."
Kusko said if the homeowners trim their own trees, they could be doing more harm than good.
"We have trained arborists who know how to trim trees. It is a difficult situation because the trees will still be regulated," said Kusko.
Nauta's wife Trish said the trees should be trimmed by professionals.
"We took a course by tree tenders and are certified," Trish Nauta said. "We've seen where homeowners have hacked their trees and they won't be able to come back."
Resident Tenley Gubanich agreed with the Nautas.
"I would like to see the borough held accountable for the trees," Gubanich said.
Kusko said the borough would still have to budget money for tree trimming even if the ordinance was changed.
"They still have to address removals and maintenance with the trees in the parks," he said.
Good to see the community involved in the discussion regarding the transfer of ownership of borough street trees to residents!
Here is an article on the Shade Tree meeting by Dennis Wright, reporter for the Mercury.
Residents want Phoenixville to continue maintaining street trees
http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/08/10/news/srv0000009058197.txt
By Dennis J. Wright, dwright@pottsmerc.com
PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Shade Tree Commission heard from nearly 20 residents Monday evening regarding trimming issues and the possibility of the borough turning the tree trimming back over to homeowners.
Commission member Paul Kusko said it was the biggest crowd he's ever seen at a commission meeting. He told the audience the borough is dealing with budget issues.
"Every aspect of the budget is under review, including the shade tree commission," Kusko said.
He said there is a cost associated with maintaining a healthy, urban forest, especially an aging one. He said the large, mature trees provide an enormous amount of beauty and cooling shade, but they also require maintenance (such as trimming and disposing of dead branches) and eventually removal once they die or become hazardous.
"Nothing has been changed nor voted on," he said. "We were asked to make a recommendation to council. We want to be objective but we have to make that recommendation whether to change the ordinance or not. We have no decision-making powers. This is an idea that is being considered. We want to hear from the public to see what they have to say."
Kusko said talk of budget cuts has been a major topic of discussion in many municipalities during the recent economic downturn.
"Currently, by ordinance, the Borough of Phoenixville is responsible for the care and maintenance of regulated street trees, including the removal of those that are dead, dying, and/or hazardous," he said. "Amid tough budget conditions this is one borough service that is being considered for termination for the upcoming fiscal year. This would shift the responsibility of the maintenance and removal of regulated street trees back to the homeowners of properties abutting the right-of-way where the trees are located. Over the past four years the borough has been spending $40,000 to 80,000 per year on regulated street tree maintenance and removals."
Various residents stood and addressed the commission, informing them of tree trimming issues that they've been dealing with and wondering if the borough will take care of them.
Resident Nick Nauta said he is against the change in the ordinance.
"We feel the borough should leave it the way it is and try to get additional funding," Nauta said. "We've done our part by trimming 40 to 50 new trees and our neighbors are appreciative. We don't want the burden on the homeowners."
Kusko said if the homeowners trim their own trees, they could be doing more harm than good.
"We have trained arborists who know how to trim trees. It is a difficult situation because the trees will still be regulated," said Kusko.
Nauta's wife Trish said the trees should be trimmed by professionals.
"We took a course by tree tenders and are certified," Trish Nauta said. "We've seen where homeowners have hacked their trees and they won't be able to come back."
Resident Tenley Gubanich agreed with the Nautas.
"I would like to see the borough held accountable for the trees," Gubanich said.
Kusko said the borough would still have to budget money for tree trimming even if the ordinance was changed.
"They still have to address removals and maintenance with the trees in the parks," he said.
Good to see the community involved in the discussion regarding the transfer of ownership of borough street trees to residents!
Here is an article on the Shade Tree meeting by Dennis Wright, reporter for the Mercury.
Residents want Phoenixville to continue maintaining street trees
http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/08/10/news/srv0000009058197.txt
By Dennis J. Wright, dwright@pottsmerc.com
PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Shade Tree Commission heard from nearly 20 residents Monday evening regarding trimming issues and the possibility of the borough turning the tree trimming back over to homeowners.
Commission member Paul Kusko said it was the biggest crowd he's ever seen at a commission meeting. He told the audience the borough is dealing with budget issues.
"Every aspect of the budget is under review, including the shade tree commission," Kusko said.
He said there is a cost associated with maintaining a healthy, urban forest, especially an aging one. He said the large, mature trees provide an enormous amount of beauty and cooling shade, but they also require maintenance (such as trimming and disposing of dead branches) and eventually removal once they die or become hazardous.
"Nothing has been changed nor voted on," he said. "We were asked to make a recommendation to council. We want to be objective but we have to make that recommendation whether to change the ordinance or not. We have no decision-making powers. This is an idea that is being considered. We want to hear from the public to see what they have to say."
Kusko said talk of budget cuts has been a major topic of discussion in many municipalities during the recent economic downturn.
"Currently, by ordinance, the Borough of Phoenixville is responsible for the care and maintenance of regulated street trees, including the removal of those that are dead, dying, and/or hazardous," he said. "Amid tough budget conditions this is one borough service that is being considered for termination for the upcoming fiscal year. This would shift the responsibility of the maintenance and removal of regulated street trees back to the homeowners of properties abutting the right-of-way where the trees are located. Over the past four years the borough has been spending $40,000 to 80,000 per year on regulated street tree maintenance and removals."
Various residents stood and addressed the commission, informing them of tree trimming issues that they've been dealing with and wondering if the borough will take care of them.
Resident Nick Nauta said he is against the change in the ordinance.
"We feel the borough should leave it the way it is and try to get additional funding," Nauta said. "We've done our part by trimming 40 to 50 new trees and our neighbors are appreciative. We don't want the burden on the homeowners."
Kusko said if the homeowners trim their own trees, they could be doing more harm than good.
"We have trained arborists who know how to trim trees. It is a difficult situation because the trees will still be regulated," said Kusko.
Nauta's wife Trish said the trees should be trimmed by professionals.
"We took a course by tree tenders and are certified," Trish Nauta said. "We've seen where homeowners have hacked their trees and they won't be able to come back."
Resident Tenley Gubanich agreed with the Nautas.
"I would like to see the borough held accountable for the trees," Gubanich said.
Kusko said the borough would still have to budget money for tree trimming even if the ordinance was changed.
"They still have to address removals and maintenance with the trees in the parks," he said.
I would like to remind everyone that many thousands of dollars of our taxpayer dollars are charitably donated to the CDC every year.
As a taxpayer, I rue the day Council first started the philantropic gesture of donating OUR tax dollars for bling.
The federal, state, and county have all cut back on programs due to the economic crisis.
It's time for Phoenixville to serve the residents, not just special interest groups.
Johnson, I am unable to post your comment.
My contact info is on the homepage of this blog.
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