By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
The City of Geneseo approved the purchase of an artificial Christmas Tree to replace the “Mayor’s Christmas Tree,” located on the boulevard at 2nd and State Sts.
At a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, the purchase of a 26’ artificial tree was discussed to replace the current tree, and a special City Council meeting was held after the COTW, at which time the purchase was unanimously approved.
Information received from Brandon Maeglin, City Administrator, stated: “The ‘Mayor’s Christmas Tree,’ located at 2nd and State has been a staple of the Holiday Season in Geneseo for many years and serves as a focal point for the annual tree lighting ceremony during Christmas Walk festivities. As the Council is aware, Christmas Walk is Geneseo’s largest tourism draw during the year and is an economic driver for our business owners who have large investments in our historic district. The tree however has been in poor health for a number of years. The City recently had the tree assessed by an independent arborist who issued the following opinion.”: “After assessing the tree in question, we have come to the conclusion of it would be in the best interest of all parties involved to remove the tree in question due to the prior lighting damage the tree has internal issues that will result in failure, including rot and decay. The tree is highly at risk of failure in any event of extreme weather.”
Maeglin explained that in February of this year, a committee was formed to make a recommendation on how to proceed with the tree situation…He said while taking down the tree is a difficult decision, it was determined by the committee that would be the appropriate route.
The current “Mayor’s Christmas Tree,” on the boulevard at 2nd and State Sts. is in poor health and soon will be removed and replaced with an artificial tree. Photo by Claudia Loucks
“The committee explored replacement tree options,” Maeglin explained, which led to the proposal that was presented to the Council at the meeting…”The committee recommends consideration of a 26-foot tree (Adirondack Mountain Pine Christmas Tree, 12,700 LED 5mm Warm White Lights, UV Resistant Foliage, Powder Coated Frame, from Downtown Decorations Inc. (in New York.) With the classic tree topper that we already have, this puts the tree at 30-feet in total. This is a high end, individual branch tree, that provides the most realistic tree experience in the committee’s opinion.”
The quote for the tree was submitted at a total of $36,178.00, which includes tax and shipping and if the order was placed before the end of April.
The bid includes an ornamentation package, with a green color scheme, that will provide the green and white experience of the current tree, which his traditionally decorated with green and white lights.
Maeglin said the artificial tree would be constructed by city staff members and volunteers each November in the location of the current tree, and would remain in place throughout the holiday season.
Maeglin said the committee discussed having one final lighting event of the current tree before it is removed, which would tentatively take place at the end of spring or in early summer of this year.
It was also stated that Public Works would like to take the opportunity when the tree is removed to repair the curbing in the area around the boulevard and potentially do a concrete pour at the tip of the boulevard to create a level, cleaned up space, for the stage to be placed during the Christmas Walk celebration.
Funding for the State Street Tree project is proposed to come from the Hotel/Motel Fund, which has $194,447.09 in it as of the end of March 2024. This fund is in place specifically for projects and initiatives that will drive tourism to Geneseo.