A financial bomb dropped in city council on Tuesday night after councilors heard that the 32 trees due to be planted on Front Street as a part of the downtown makeover would cost $20,000 each.
That would leave the city paying $640,000, just for the trees to be planted.
The news came as a shock to councilors after staff were asked to provide more details on how the project after only two months has seen its cost go 25 per cent over what it was originally estimated to.
It was when council asked for clarification on the budget and the additional costs that city manager of engineering, Sean Dunsmore, said that finishes on Front Street, such as bike racks, benches and trees were not properly estimated in the 60 per cent design of the project.
“The trees, instead of costing $20,000 for the group, they cost $20,000 each. Our original budget was based on a 60 per cent design from Associated Engineering and some of these prices came in a little higher,” said Dunsmore, adding some other unexpected maintenance work on the streetlights contibuted to drive up the budget further.
Councilors were rattled by the news.
“Holy moly! That is insane!” exclaimed councilor Victoria Wilson.
Dunsmore explained that the cost per tree was due to the trees being planted right into the street, with a contraption to ensure the root balls get watered and the tree survives and does not cause damage to the street.
According to Dunsmore it was the cheapest option for the re-doing.
“It is an insult to taxpayers,” councilor Anthony Longo told Thorold News after the meeting.
“Especially in these times. There are people out there that are stuggling. How would you feel if you heard that the city will be spending that kind of money on trees?”
Longo said that according to his calculations, each home owner in Thorold would pay $110 for the trees to be planted.
He already had concerns over the project, that also has seen its scope shrink to fit the budget.
The corner that houses the Thorold Credit Union as well as the Moose & Goose will no longer be re-done, in order for the project to only go over budget by $1 million.
“We are essentially getting less project for more money,” Longo said, adding he wants the make over, and does not mind trees - but not at the expected cost.
After hearing the news, councilors agreed to have staff review what could be done about the cost of the trees.
One outcome, said Longo, could be that the trees are taken out entirely, leaving downtown without a single tree.
During the meeting, Dunsmore said he does not anticipate any delays to the project, but Anthony Longo is concerned that it is just the beginning.
“I am afraid of construction surprises. I have already had one in a two-week time frame.”
Thorold News has reached out to Sean Dunsmore and mayor Terry Ugulini for comment, but not heard back in time of publication.
