Council extends limited emergency proclamation to allow hazardous-tree work and FEMA eligibility

The Town of Maryville council on July 28 approved Resolution 26-42, extending a limited emergency proclamation through July 31 so town staff can contract for hazardous-tree removal in public rights-of-way and pursue potential FEMA reimbursement.

Town attorney/manager Michael Griffin said the extension is narrowly targeted. "We can't extend the plenary emergency declaration. It's to allow us to do that one step and make it eligible if it's going to be eligible for the $75.25 from FEMA," he told the council, clarifying that the authorization covers tree work in rights-of-way identified as dangerous and not work on private property.

Griffin described the required contractor access for precarious trees as "a climber contract" because equipment cannot reach some locations. He said the town must start the contract within the extension period to preserve eligibility. Council members asked whether additional extensions would be necessary; Griffin said, "I am reliably advised as long as we start the contract within this period, and we will."

The motion to adopt Resolution 26-42 passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The council will ratify the specific contract at a subsequent meeting and staff said they are awaiting FEMA guidance on formal disaster declarations and eligibility.

Why it matters: Extending the limited emergency enables immediate mitigation of public-safety risks from storm-damaged trees and preserves the town's ability to seek federal cost-sharing if a qualifying disaster declaration is granted.