More trees are needed in Dundee

DUNDEE—The streets in the village are lined with trees and although they may look healthy, many are in decline. Village Streets Superintendent Andy Howell spoke to the village board about the trees, stating, “At 2010, trees are failing fast.” Howell said Jim Bagley of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has surveyed trees in the village and made recommendations.
Trustee Judy Duquette said she is concerned that if too many trees are removed it would make the village look bad. Village clerk Christine Sutherland said that for every tree that is removed, the village sends a letter to the homeowner and offers them a tree to plant in their yard. Planting the replacement tree within the homeowner’s yard rather than between the sidewalk and street is important. The custom years ago when many trees were planted was to plant them between the sidewalk and the street. However, over the years the tree roots damaged the sidewalks. Mayor Fred Cratsley asked if Bagley could offer recommendations for varieties of trees that could be planted between the sidewalk and the road without causing problems.
Wastewater treatment plant operator Howard Sautter said he had heard of a municipality where trees are replaced on a rotation basis. The trees there were not allowed to grow to a size that would become a maintenance problem. He said, “It might be a good plan. Some of the trees here are getting pretty bare looking.”
Assistant Streets Superintendent Doug Jayne said the trees that may be removed are a danger due to the possibility of dead branches falling.
Howell said Bagley plans to return to Dundee on September first to offer recommendations. Howell added, “Trees don’t last forever.”
In other business: Trustees discussed two chapters of village code that were referred recently to the village planning board: Parks and Recreation and Peddling and Solicitation. Planning board member Caryl Sutterby said the group had reviewed the codes over three sessions, adding, “We tried to use common sense.” After expressing thanks to the planning board for their work, Cratsley said the proposed changes will go to the village attorney next for review.
• Fire chief Dan Petersen said the fire department will have a bylaw meeting Aug. 29 to review the proposed changes to firefighters ages.
• Two new members of the fire department were approved: Alexander and Zacharia Sullivan.
• Leaf pickup for non-village residents was on the agenda with the area under discussion on Seneca Street in the town of Starkey. The village will pick up leaves in that area if the town requests it or if there is an emergency. A letter will be sent to residents in the area outside the village to explain the decision.
• Cratsley said the village has received approval from New York State Department of Health for work on the public water supply on Water Street. Bids will be opened Sept. 28 and Cratsley said he hoped work could begin in October.
• Health Improvement project coordinator Lauren Snyder spoke to the board about the group’s activities. She said plans are moving along nicely for the Scottish Festival adding, “Fran is doing a great job. Lots of people are involved.” The microenterprise program has been rolled out. That program is designed to stimulate small business growth in the three municipalities involved in the project. There is $15,000 available. Half would be a loan and half a grant. Storefront loans up to $1,000 are available through the program but there has been little response to the program that is designed to fix up storefronts on Main and Water Streets. Snyder said Everything Dundee store now has about 13 vendors and more potential vendors are interested. The store is on Water Street.
Snyder’s final comment was to say a piano, called “Everyone’s Piano” is now in front of Water Street Pharmacy. It is there for anyone who cares to play it.
The next meeting of Dundee Village board will be at 5 p.m. on Sept. 28. The Sept. 14 meeting was canceled due to Primary Day. The village hall is the site for voting in primary contests.