Town authorizes up to $30,000 emergency contract for Parkdale and Glendale tree work

The Lancaster Town Board on Aug. 3 approved an emergency contract not to exceed $30,000 with May Tree Service Inc. to remove and prune trees along Parkdale and Glendale drives. Supervisor (chairing the meeting) moved to suspend the rules for immediate consideration and the board voted to authorize work funded from the town’s dedicated tree fund.

During discussion board members said the work was needed for public-safety reasons and to clear right-of-way areas ahead of scheduled paving. The supervisor said a contract through the Erie County provider met municipal procurement requirements. “Whereas procurement through this existing county contract satisfies all municipal purchasing requirements and eliminates the need for independent competitive bidding,” the motion read before the roll call. The clerk recorded the vote and the motion passed.

Several council members criticized uneven interdepartmental communication leading up to the tree removals. One council member said the board received last-minute notices and had “not had enough time to actually review this and do my due diligence,” and urged earlier coordination between highway, parks and contract teams. Parks staff described plans to replant with ball-and-burlap trees from an existing tree fund after stumps are removed and yards are regraded by the contractor.

What happens next: the resolution requires the contractor to provide proof of state labor registration and the prevailing‑wage PRC number before work begins. The board directed staff to oversee documentation and that payments come from the dedicated tree fund.