PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. Pleasantville will once again participate in a beautification program called the 50/50 Tree Program in hopes that more residents will take advantage of improving the aesthetics of the village and property value of their homes.
I think in the past it was a bit dormant because there were bigger priorities around the village, including planting street trees, said Pleasantville Conservation Advisory Committee Chair Helen Meurer.
The 50/50 Tree Program and is an annual spring initiative taken by the Board of Trustees and the Conservation Advisory Committee. The village purchases a variety of trees that are compatible with Pleasantvilles climate such as pine and maple trees. Residents can then purchase the trees from the village for half cost to plant somewhere on their private property. Once the tree is purchased, it is the residents responsibility to maintain and care for the tree.
Although the program gives an opportunity to residents, Village Administrator Patti Dwyer said that in the past not as many residents have taken advantage of it as they had hoped.
We plan every year with the Board of Trustees with how many trees we want to purchase and in the past I dont think weve planted any more than a dozen trees in a year, Dwyer said. So its an opportunity for residents to help green the village but its not something that weve seen an extraordinary participation.
Dwyer said it is also a chance for residents in the village to plant trees along the edge of the property.
Some peoples property comes so close to the street that the village is unable to plant anything there without going onto private property, Dwyer said. This is a way for residents to develop some nice tree lines or canopies on their property if theyre interested.
Dwyer said the Board of Trustees discussed the program earlier this month and plans to designate around up to $3,500 in the upcoming budget to purchase the trees. Prices for the trees have not been set and vary based on size. Muerer said the program should be set to begin by the late spring.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Pleasantville and receive free news updates.