Lehigh Valley Borough Forces Tree Planting, Residents Protest

Addressing Aging Trees and Community Concerns in Hellertown

In many neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, trees line the streets, creating a scenic and welcoming environment. In certain parts of Hellertown, this charm is evident along roads like Willow Road. However, these trees are now over 75 years old, with roots that have deeply embedded themselves into utility lines and sidewalks. Some have been removed due to storm damage or infestation, prompting a recent initiative by local officials.

A key player in this effort is Theresa Fadem, the borough’s newly hired zoning and code enforcement officer. She has begun enforcing a 40-year-old law regarding tree maintenance, which has led to some discontent among residents. Over the past two weeks, approximately 90 residents have received letters from Fadem, instructing them to either replace existing trees or plant a new seedling if their properties lack a shade tree.

Fadem emphasized her commitment to fulfilling her job responsibilities, stating, “This is just me taking on the responsibilities of my job, and to the best of my abilities trying to obtain compliance with the ordinance.” The letters come in two forms: one for residents who previously had trees removed but never replanted, and another for those without any shade trees on their front properties.

The ordinance mandates that every person must plant and pay for the cost of planting or transplanting a shade tree upon request by the borough. Residents have 30 days to replant trees that were removed and until September 30 to install a new tree. Failure to comply could result in additional costs incurred by the borough, including a 10% surcharge.

The letters sparked numerous comments on the Facebook page “Complainers of Hellertown,” with some residents expressing concerns about the financial burden and the potential damage caused by trees. Despite this, several individuals supported the orders.

Cheyenne Reiman, who owns multiple business properties in the borough, plans not to replant a tree along Main Street that she removed in 2022. Instead, she intends to plant a tree in a grassy area in front of the property. She argued that replanting between the curb and sidewalk would create obstacles for parking, adding to existing signs and utility poles. Reiman also questioned the consistency of Fadem’s inspections, suggesting that more systematic approaches should be considered.

Jayne Shinko, a long-time resident of Constitution Avenue, supports the enforcement of the ordinance for the public benefit, provided it is applied consistently. She mentioned that she has grown tired of the maple trees on her street, which have caused damage to her underground utility lines. Although she has no intention of replanting, she planted a smaller tree in her front lawn, acknowledging its limited shade-providing capabilities.

Fadem explained that residents can request waivers or extensions if they face hardships or other extenuating circumstances, such as utility line damage. She also recommended specific tree species known for their non-invasive root systems. “I am happy to work on extensions,” she said.

Fadem, who took over as zoning and code enforcement officer on May 19 after resigning from the borough council the previous day, believes that borough officials expect her to follow up on such duties. Residents can contact her at 610-838-7041, extension 108, or via email at t.fadem@hellertownborough.org to discuss the ordinance and their responsibilities.

Additionally, Fadem is one of five Democrats running for at-large seats on Northampton County Council this fall, with five Republicans also in the race. For further information, readers can reach out to Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone at asalamone@mcall.com.