Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse lawmakers unanimously approved Mayor Ben Walsh’s plan to spend $2 million in federal stimulus money to plant new trees throughout the city.
Before the vote, however, Common Councilor Pat Hogan applauded Walsh’s effort by reciting the 1913 poem “Trees,” by Joyce Kilmer.
“I think that I shall never see, a poem so lovely as a tree,” Hogan said, reading the opening lines of the brief poem.
Councilors watched quietly as Hogan continued.
“Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree,” he concluded.
Hogan said trees are critical infrastructure that help retain storm water, improve air quality and lower temperatures in city neighborhoods. His remarks echoed comments last week by city officials who have promoted the plan, including Walsh.
The council voted 8-0 in favor of using the money to plant trees. Councilor Joe Carni was not at the meeting.
The money will be used to plant 3,600 trees throughout the city over the next three years.
The council also unanimously approved using $5 million in stimulus money to demolish blighted properties.
Councilors delayed a vote on a $1 million rent relief program for tenants who owe back rent.
The council also delayed a series of votes on improvements to water infrastructure, including money for a new intake pipe at Skaneateles Lake. Walsh’s administration withdrew a request to spend $1.1 million on a new fence and security upgrades at the water department headquarters.
Councilors will meet in the coming weeks to question administration officials about those programs.
The federal government awarded Syracuse $123 million in federal Covid-19 relief money earlier this year. Walsh has outlined plans to spend that money on housing, job training, programs for kids, and infrastructure, among other things. Each proposal first requires council approval.