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City Board mergers promote a…
greener, safer Rochester Text and Photos By LIBBY HUBBARD Staff Writer A newly merged City Board is working to unify tree care and sidewalk safety in Rochester, aligning two vital elements of public infrastructure under one collaborative roof. The Tree and Sidewalk Board, formed through a January 2025 ordinance, brings together volunteers, environmental advocates and city officials to address issues that are both deeply rooted and highly visible. City Councilwoman Amy Roe, who helped guide the merger process, says the move fosters smarter solutions and more efficient governance. “We’ve got to settle in on: this is your lane, this is my lane, and where do we meet in the middle?” Roe said. “If you want a new sidewalk and I want to keep the tree, let’s find a way to build the sidewalk around the tree.” Tree Board President Eric Biddinger says the relationship between trees and sidewalks is more interdependent than many people realize. “Trees affect sidewalks. Sidewalks affect trees,” Biddinger said. “You can’t just pour a slab of concrete over a tree’s roots and expect it to survive. Likewise, tree roots can lift and crack walkways. But there are ways around both problems, if you bring the right people to the table.” The decision to combine the two boards was proposed in late summer 2024 by May-
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COUNCIL — Rochester City Councilwoman Amy Roe, left, Tree Board President Eric Biddinger, and Sidewalk Board Secretary Anna Roe sit inside Rochester City Hall to discuss the upcoming board merger.
OAK — Live southern oaks grow across from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department building in downtown Rochester. or Trent Odell and city officials as a way to consolidate expertise and reduce redundancy. While the merger created
initial growing pains, Roe described it as “marrying two families,” now hearing from members that the effort is paying off.
“The strength of this board is in the people,” said Tree and Sidewalk Board Secretary Anna Continued on page 3
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