To the Editor:

Wanting to maintain the aesthetic and ecological benefits of the mature tree canopy along the east side of Church St, citizens are upset about the proposed TAP Grant by CMU that includes removal of healthy trees. When citizens learn of CMU’s plan to remove 17 of the 18 street trees on the east side of Church St. from College to Elm, responses range from dismay to horror and anger. When I was first approached, I was told CMU planned on removing 9 streetside trees; later at the Fayette City Council meeting on May 23rd, the plan handed out included the removal of 17 streetside trees. There are 18 street trees on the east side of N. Church Street between College and Elm Streets. Four of those were recommended for removal by the Davey Group Survey done this winter (Jan. 2023). Emerald Ash Borer is decimating untreated trees. You may be able to see these trees on https://fayettemo.treekeepersoftware.com/index.cfm

From Elm street headed North:

#59 Red Maple, dead parts, remove

#63 Tulip Tree, prune

#77 Black Tupelo

#88 American Sycamore, prune

#104 Hackberry, prune

#115 White Ash, dying, remove

#127 Green Ash, fair condition (showing signs of EAB infestation)

#137 Green Ash, dying, remove

#146 Norway Maple, prune

#155 Sweetgum, prune

#164 White Ash, good condition (could treat)

#178 Pin Oak, prune

#187 Pin Oak, prune

#199 Norway Maple, prune

#211 Norway Maple, dying, remove

#216 Norway Maple

#229 American Sycamore

#243 Sweetgum, prune

The plan the City Council was given makes it difficult to visualize what changes are proposed other than the removal of trees and the addition of a crosswalk with a light alert.

Here are some questions from citizens that have been submitted to President Roger Drake and VP Julee Sherman:

● Where did this idea originate?

● Does the Christian Church have a choice?

● Is angle parking a part of the plan as someone commented?

● Is the street to be widened?

● If the street is not widened, why would any trees need to be removed to improve the sidewalk?

● Why has the current parallel parking along the street never been marked off?

● Why not have Church St be a “No Parking” zone and have cars park elsewhere except on Sunday?

● Why not put a parking garage behind Stedman?

● Why not care for the existing trees, prune and label them as they do at Missouri Valley?

● Why is there not a clear, polished plan to share with the public?

● What can we do to stop this?

● Has designing improvements around the existing trees been explored?

● Why not replace the diseased trees with new street side trees?

● Have the neighbors been notified?

The City Council was informed that our approval is not required for the TAP Grant application, but I encourage you to let your thoughts be known in writing as the court of public opinion may wield influence. Feel free to email me at bekkilou@gmail.com and I will share your letters about this proposed project with CMU and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Sincerely,

Bekki Galloway

Southwest Ward Alderwoman

Tree Board Liaison for the City of Fayette 6/2/23