Yonkers Looks For Help As Tree Service Requests Pile Up

YONKERS, N.Y. – Yonkers officials are looking for outside help as they try to tackle a backlog of tree service requests that was years in the making.

Yonkers officials have issued an RFP for professional tree services after Superstorm Sandy added to a backlog of more than 2,000 requests.
Photo Credit: *Matt Bultman*

by Matt Bultman

12/17/2012 7:00 p.m.

Yonkers issued a Request for Proposal on Friday, hoping to secure a contractor to provide professional tree services, including removal and cleanup.

The RFP came after Hurricane Sandy hit Yonkers in October, taking down hundreds of trees and downing power lines throughout the city.

The trees that fell in the storm’s crushing blows were added to a backlog of nearly 2,000 tree service requests, dating to January 2007, officials said.

“With years of backlogged tree service requests combined with the catastrophic aftermath left by Superstorm Sandy, it is now imperative that we issue an RFP to assist Yonkers with its tree maintenance,” Mayor Mike Spano said in a statement. “Securing an outside vendor for tree removal and services is a preventative measure so that when these massive storms hit us again, we are better prepared.”

City officials said they hope to begin the work early next year, and contractors must commit to dedicate at least two crews to help city workers during storm emergencies.

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