Change law to protect trees

This week we sadly said good-bye to several old friends on Susquehanna Avenue — seven Norway spruces. These trees were planted by the Root brothers in the early 30s and were the same stock that Mr. Ambrose Clark used throughout Cooperstown.

These magnificent trees had graced our landscape providing not only a beautiful serene view for us and our neighbors but also providing homes for scores of fledgling birds and the protected red squirrels that we all enjoyed. This spring the trees had bright green fronds and many pinecones.

When we purchased our home on Chestnut St four years ago, we were attracted to the property due to the lovely grove of spruce on the property right behind us. We felt we had the best of both worlds — we could live in the Village, but yet have the ``feel’’ of being in the country. Unfortunately now the esthetics of our neighborhood has been severely disfigured. The reason for the demise of the trees was due to a unilateral decision by the Zoning Enforcement Officer based on a report from a tree company hired by the new owners of the property indicating the trees were a ``safety hazard due to height for the neighboring persons and property’’ and were ``more susceptible due to wind damage as well as lightning strikes.’’ However, a review of research models, that assess risks due to snow, lightning and wind damage for all species of trees, indicates these trees, as planted, are moderate to low for snow and wind damage, and low for lightning since they will heal. Trees that are at greater risk are maples, elms and oaks. Using the criteria of tree height to justify removal puts most of Cooperstown’s trees at risk.

While the Zoning Law allows trees to be removed if they are ``imminent danger,’’ clearly these trees were not. When over 30 percent of trees in a ten year period on a property are to be removed, the usual process is to ask the ZBA for a variance (it should be noted that a total of eight or nine trees have been removed from this property).

This process permits neighbors that would be affected by this decision to have input and allows time to garner pertinent information from the Village’s Tree Committee. Since we were not informed about their removal, imagine our shock as we pulled into our drive on May 18 to see the trees being ``cut.’’ While we were trying to get the work halted so the proper process could be done by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), the trees were quickly ``trimmed’’ into ``sails’’ and the center tree removed.

Both actions compromised the stability of the trees hence ensuring their ultimate removal. While the trees were discussed at the June meeting of the ZBA, their fate had already been determined.

Current justification for their removal is the new proposed parking structure on the property. This information suggests the proposed structure would damage the root system.

However, the previous owner of the property, who designed the plan for the new structure and who has extensive construction experience, never intended to remove the trees (the trees were not near the proposed structure). He had carefully considered whether the structure would have a detrimental effect on the tree root system. Using data from the U.S. Department of Forestry for each species and its diameter, he found the percentage of roots that could be compromised without jeopardizing the trees would be met so they could continue to survive and thrive.

As noted by our neighbor, a second grader, after learning about Arbor Day at school, why did this happen, aren’t we a ``Tree City?’’ We concur with his sentiment. We strongly urge the Village to make the following changes in the Zoning Law to prevent further deforestation of Cooperstown: ensure the 30 percent over ten years policy is enforced; clarify what constitutes an ``imminent’’ tree danger; permit tree removal in a construction site only after all variances and certificate of appropriateness have been given; and, provide stricter guidelines to ensure due-diligence of the review process in order to protect the residential character of our neighborhoods. We also hope future homeowners who move into our beloved Cooperstown will join us in being good stewards of our landscape so we can proudly tell children that Cooperstown is truly a ``Tree City.’’

Sally Graumlich

Timothy Campbell

Cooperstown

Kids Day at Sports Center

The Clark Sports Center held their first annual end of the year ``Kids Days’’ this past week.

Events included Foos Ball Tournament that was won by Gillis Summers and Lauryn Makofske.

The kids also enjoyed a pool day, which included a belly flop and cannonball contest.

The belly flop winners were Bobby Haggerty, Josh Nicolson and Brendon Lohan. The Cannoball winners were Will Harloff and Noah Lifgren.

The kids had a full outdoor sesion on Tuesday which included kickball, capture the flag and speedball games.

Wednesday involved an outdoor water day that had a 100 ft slip and slide down the bowl hill.

The kids also had a massive water gun fight and water ballon toss. Thursday’s Field Days involved relay race games as well as egg tosses and hot dogs for the kids.

There were approximately 150 kids each day and 250 kids on the water day. The Clark Sports Center would like to thank all the kids that made the days possible as well as all the staff who helped make the day great.

Scott Whiteman

Clark Sports Center