Aldermen green light tree removal at owner’s expense
The city has approved a motion to allow a Beech Street homeowner to remove a tree in a city-owned alley, provided the work is done at his expense by a licensed, bonded, and insured tree service.
At the Jan. 7 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, a motion to remove the tree and grind the stump based on a $3,650 quote from a local tree service was denied.
The homeowner, Obie McCarty, initially sought assistance from the city, stating that clearing the area would provide enough space for him to park his vehicle off the street.
After weeks of discussion, aldermen ultimately decided against funding the tree removal, citing the lack of an imminent safety threat.
Initially, the city considered dividing ownership of the Beech Street alley among the adjacent property owners, leaving maintenance decisions up to them.
Instead, the board granted McCarty permission last Tuesday to remove the tree at his expense, with no cost to taxpayers.
In other business, aldermen voted to:
• Approve a motion to appoint David Bailey, Eva Tisdale and Robert Beck Jr. as city Election Commissioners. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to pay the Philadelphia Municipal Airport’s liability insurance renewal with Kimmel Aviation Insurance Agency. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to allow City Clerk Nikki Walton to take over the bookkeeping and payment of invoices for the airport, which includes switching bank account authorization to the mayor and city clerk. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to send a recommendation of support letter to the state Legislature on behalf of Philadelphia Transit. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Darius Grady from the Street Department effective Dec. 20. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to accept the lowest and best bid from S&S Auto & Truck Repair of $5,550 to repair the truck bed on a 2025 F-550 Street Department vehicle. The higher repair quote was from H&H Chief Sales for $5,800. The motion was approved unanimously;
• Approve a motion to allow an AT&T road bore along West Main Street. The motion was approved unanimously.
• Approve the resignation of Fairview Volunteer Fire Department Commissioner Tammy Graham, effective Jan. 15;
• Approve hiring Davis Purdy Architects for architectural services for the Burnside Improvement Project at the cost of $25,000;
• Approve appointing Larry McMullan as the District 3 Industrial Development Authority board member.