For the last several years Walt Aikman, founder of Grow Auburn's Trees, has noticed aggressive tree trimming by utility crews clearing branches away from utility lines.
The latest line clearing done by NYSEG on the city's east side, though, “has been the last straw,” Aikman said.
“With this recent egregious trimming, people are very upset this time,” he said. “I think it's going to injure the trees. I don't think there's any question about it.”
Three weeks ago, Aikman proposed to the Auburn City Council that the city amend its tree ordinance to implement a permitting system that would require
any person or firm trimming trees in the public area to first obtain a permit. The permitting requirements would only be triggered for the trimming of park or street trees, which are on public property.
A permitting system, Aikman said, would clearly delineate a set of standards for how public trees in the city are pruned. Such a system is already in place in other cities, including Syracuse and Ithaca.
“Auburn is not inventing the wheel. We are not re-inventing the wheel. This is just wheel that exists in many, many other communities,” Aikman said. “Why do our trees deserve any less?”
The city council will discuss the potential tree permitting program this Thursday and would then vote on the amendment the following week.
Aikman proposed that the city follow American National Standard Institute A300 guidelines, which provide standard definitions for tree maintenance and standards for tree pruning operations.
“We're not saying never cut a tree,” he said. “We want trimming done within a framework.”
City departments conducting regular maintenance on the city's trees could be granted annual permits.
As a way to work with utility companies, the Grow Auburn's Trees group, Aikman said, has made an effort to plant low-growing trees near utility lines.
Clayton Ellis, spokesman for NYSEG, said in an e-mail that the company follows tree trimming guidelines of the Tree Care Industry Association.
Ellis said NYSEG trims neighborhood distribution circuits like those in Auburn only every 10 years and works closely with municipalities and tree advisory councils when doing so.
“We are committed to striking an appropriate balance between maintaining the aesthetics of trees and our responsibility to provide safe, reliable service to our customers,” Ellis said.
Aikman also said the Grow Auburn's Trees group previously has worked with NYSEG in addressing line clearing concerns and said, for a period, NYSEG crews were responsive.
“For a while things get better and then it goes back,” he said. “This will require the utilities - cable, telephone, electric - to notify the city when they plan to cut city trees.”
Also Thursday, the council will hear an amendment to increase tire disposal fees at the city's landfill.
Currently, the landfill charges $3 for the disposal of car tires, $6 for truck tires and $10 for tractor tires. If the fee changes are implemented, the landfill will charge $10 for all tires up to 24-inches in diameter.
The amendment would also increase landfill disposal fees from $25 to $45 for any appliance containing chlorofluorocarbons or Freon, such as refrigerators or air conditioners. The fee increases would be implemented to account for increasing costs of handling, processing and disposing of tires and such appliances.
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
“With this recent egregious trimming, people are very upset this time,” he said. “I think it's going to injure the trees. I don't think there's any question about it.”
Three weeks ago, Aikman proposed to the Auburn City Council that the city amend its tree ordinance to implement a permitting system that would require
any person or firm trimming trees in the public area to first obtain a permit. The permitting requirements would only be triggered for the trimming of park or street trees, which are on public property.
A permitting system, Aikman said, would clearly delineate a set of standards for how public trees in the city are pruned. Such a system is already in place in other cities, including Syracuse and Ithaca.
“Auburn is not inventing the wheel. We are not re-inventing the wheel. This is just wheel that exists in many, many other communities,” Aikman said. “Why do our trees deserve any less?”
The city council will discuss the potential tree permitting program this Thursday and would then vote on the amendment the following week.
Aikman proposed that the city follow American National Standard Institute A300 guidelines, which provide standard definitions for tree maintenance and standards for tree pruning operations.
“We're not saying never cut a tree,” he said. “We want trimming done within a framework.”
City departments conducting regular maintenance on the city's trees could be granted annual permits.
As a way to work with utility companies, the Grow Auburn's Trees group, Aikman said, has made an effort to plant low-growing trees near utility lines.
Clayton Ellis, spokesman for NYSEG, said in an e-mail that the company follows tree trimming guidelines of the Tree Care Industry Association.
Ellis said NYSEG trims neighborhood distribution circuits like those in Auburn only every 10 years and works closely with municipalities and tree advisory councils when doing so.
“We are committed to striking an appropriate balance between maintaining the aesthetics of trees and our responsibility to provide safe, reliable service to our customers,” Ellis said.
Aikman also said the Grow Auburn's Trees group previously has worked with NYSEG in addressing line clearing concerns and said, for a period, NYSEG crews were responsive.
“For a while things get better and then it goes back,” he said. “This will require the utilities - cable, telephone, electric - to notify the city when they plan to cut city trees.”
Also Thursday, the council will hear an amendment to increase tire disposal fees at the city's landfill.
Currently, the landfill charges $3 for the disposal of car tires, $6 for truck tires and $10 for tractor tires. If the fee changes are implemented, the landfill will charge $10 for all tires up to 24-inches in diameter.
The amendment would also increase landfill disposal fees from $25 to $45 for any appliance containing chlorofluorocarbons or Freon, such as refrigerators or air conditioners. The fee increases would be implemented to account for increasing costs of handling, processing and disposing of tires and such appliances.
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.