Council approves one-year tree-services contract; members ask about senior-assistance program and private-property procedures

Scranton City Council adopted a one-year contract with Titan Tree Services Inc. to provide professional tree services for the city and discussed related programs to assist homeowners who cannot afford private tree removal. Council members clarified that the Department of Public Works (DPW) will assess emergency tree removals and call in contractor services when the work exceeds DPW capacity. The contract was described as a one-year engagement and will return to council if renewed. During committee discussion, a council member asked whether an existing program budgeted earlier in the year to assist elderly residents with tree removal had been used and requested details on the application process and any residents served. Council staff said they would follow up and report back. The council also sought clarity about private-property tree removals, noting that trees on private property would be removed only when they present a danger to others, and asked staff to provide job descriptions and confirm process steps after bids and personnel adjustments in DPW. Ending: the resolution authorizing the contract was adopted by roll call; staff will provide details on the senior-assistance program, job descriptions for DPW tree roles, and timelines for private-property enforcement and emergency-response procedures.