The Wayland City Council was rebuked by a local citizen Monday night for pursuing policies of removing trees from the community.
Gail Hollinger, who had come to the meeting to support the council’s recent change from traditional to family restrooms in the City Park, said she has been appalled at removal of trees on East Sycamore Street, the site of the latest local road improvement and paving project.
She also expressed dismay over removal of a tree at the park that had been planted in memory of a member of the Garden Club.
City Streets Superintendent Coleman Lutz apologized to Hollinger, indicating that the tree had been removed in error by the subcontractor in the recent park improvement project, which included new playground equipment and the splash pad. He said there may be plans to plant a new one.
Essentially, Hollinger, who lives on Maple Street near the City Park, was voicing opposition to removing trees, which she said do the environment a lot of good and enhance the beauty of a small town.
Pointing to the city’s logo on the wall at the back of council chambers, Hollinger said, “That might as well be a stump… Why do we just throw away trees?”
