Council approves Pomeroy sign grant application and removes authorization for tree carvings; National Grid to reduce hazardous tree to designated height

The Olean Common Council on Jan. 14 authorized the Olean Historical and Preservation Society to apply for a Pomeroy historic signage grant for the Teddy Roosevelt and related historic markers in Lincoln Park, and it struck language authorizing carvings to “preserve and memorialize” an unsafe tree.

PL 4-25 as introduced combined two actions: (1) authorize the society to apply for a Pomeroy historic signage grant and (2) authorize work to reduce unsafe tree conditions and carvings to preserve the tree. Alderman Robinson and other council members questioned combining both items in one resolution and raised concerns about preserving a tree that multiple speakers described as dying or unsafe.

Robinson argued against preserving the tree in place and suggested alternative memorials such as a park bench, metal sculpture, or repurposing cut wood into benches or artifacts. Another council member suggested preserving portions of the cut wood in a secured facility such as a restored carriage house to prevent vandalism. Council members discussed splitting the PL into two separate items so the grant application could proceed without delaying removal or mitigation for the hazardous tree.

By motion, the council removed the authorization for carvings and preservation from the resolution and approved the remaining language authorizing the historical society to apply for the signage grant and to authorize work to reduce unsafe tree conditions. Council members gave the mayor verbal authorization to have National Grid take down the tree to a designated height and agreed to revisit the preservation/carving proposal as a separate PL at the next regular meeting. The committee referred the amended resolution to the regular meeting; a subsequent roll call recorded the resolution passing with six ayes and one absence.

The committee record indicates a Pomeroy grant would cover signage costs (Pomeroy program pays for signs), and that National Grid had indicated the tree was unsafe and would not prune it further; however, the committee did not record a timeline from National Grid, precise heights, or any procurement details for carving or preservation. The council asked the mayor to report back on National Grid’s findings about the tree’s internal condition at a later date.