A motion to re-examine trees slated for potential removal in Chatham failed to take root at Chatham-Kent council.
During last night’s meeting, Councillor Michael Bondy put forward a motion to hire a local arborist to reexamine 30 trees on Victoria Avenue in Chatham. However, without support from affected residents, he removed a portion of his motion that included over a dozen trees in Erieau.
“The point is, we live with risk,” Bondy said during Monday night’s council meeting. “Those trees, do they drop branches and limbs form time to time? Yes, they do, they’re 100 years old. Should we tear them all down because of it? No, because we live with risk.”
Bondy admits some trees on the street need to be removed, but believes the neighbourhood is being unfairly targeted.
“All I’m asking for is a second opinion,” Bondy said.
Bondy, who lives on Victoria Avenue, also asked that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Lower Thames Conservation Authority and the Sydenham Field Naturalists be consulted before any tree is removed.
CK staff reported that assessing all trees in the municipality would take between five to 10 years at an estimated cost of $4 million.
The motion failed by a vote of 6-8.