Scottdale Borough Council agreed Monday to remove more than 40 sweet gum trees from the Scottdale Gazebo Parklet.
Although the trees have been there for more than 30 years, borough manager Barry Whoric said the ball-like "fruit that drops from the trees have created safety issues, with more than one individual slipping and falling on them over the years."
Council members are aware that the removal of the trees will drastically change the appearance of the parklet, but officials said the potential liability issues outweighed concerns about aesthetics.
Councilman Bryce King made a motion to have the street department remove the trees as soon as possible.
"They're nice and they provide shade, but we have liability issues here," he said. "Although we have insurance, we've all seen how the premiums go up whenever there's a claim."
Council President Thomas Ermine added that people will more than likely have a problem with the decision.
"This is going to change the whole outlook of the park," he said. "Maybe we'll be able to get something straightened out before the fall festival."
There will still be about 20 crabapple trees in the parklet, Whoric said. He said council might even be able to have individuals donate trees for the parklet in honor of or in memory of different individuals.
In other business:
= After bids are opened at the Feb. 12 meeting, the borough will look into obtaining a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources capital improvements grant for the District Court office expansion project, which will give an added 1,048 square feet to the offices there.
Whoric said the competitive grant could match up to 50 percent of the costs of the project, up to $100,000.
