Rochester City Councilwoman Amy Roe, left, Tree Board President Eric Biddinger, and Sidewalk Board Secretary Anna Rowe sit inside Rochester City Hall to discuss the upcoming board merger.

Text and Photos
By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — A newly merged City Board is working to unify tree care and sidewalk safety in Rochester, aligning two vital elements of public infrastructure under one collaborative roof.

The Tree and Sidewalk Board, formed through a January 2025 ordinance, brings together volunteers, environmental advocates, and city officials to address issues that are both deeply rooted and highly visible.

City Councilwoman Amy Roe, who helped guide the merger process, says the move fosters smarter solutions and more efficient governance.

“We’ve got to settle in on: this is your lane, this is my lane, and where do we meet in the middle?” Roe said. “If you want a new sidewalk and I want to keep the tree, let’s find a way to build the sidewalk around the tree.”

Tree Board President Eric Biddinger says the relationship between trees and sidewalks is more interdependent than many people realize.

“Trees affect sidewalks. Sidewalks affect trees,” Biddinger said. “You can’t just pour a slab of concrete over a tree’s roots and expect it to survive. Likewise, tree roots can lift and crack walkways. But there are ways around both problems, if you bring the right people to the table.”

The decision to combine the two boards was proposed in late summer 2024 by Mayor Trent Odell and city officials as a way to consolidate expertise and reduce redundancy.

While the merger created initial growing pains, Roe described it as “marrying two families,” and is now hearing from members that the effort is paying off.

“The strength of this board is in the people,” said Tree and Sidewalk Board Secretary Anna Rowe. “We’re all volunteers. We each bring our background and experience, and when those perspectives come together, we can think more holistically.”

Tree boards are scattered throughout communities across Indiana. Rochester is a certified Tree City USA community, and the sidewalk board, while less widespread, plays a vital role in public safety and walkability.

“Phil Kline reignited the sidewalk conversation,” Amy Roe said. “He cares deeply about walkability and how the city presents itself. He edges sidewalks himself, just because he believes it’s that important.”

The city had previously disbanded its standalone sidewalk committee, but growing community interest and infrastructure concerns brought the issue back to the surface.

After a series of planning meetings in 2024, the merger was formalized with city attorney guidance and council approval.

Boards like this are more than advisory panels, but have responsibilities defined by ordinance and legal expectations to guide decisions that affect public spaces.

Biddinger explained that their focus is not just aesthetic but financial and ecological.

“A mature tree may be worth thousands of dollars in storm water retention, carbon sequestration, and increased property value,” he said. “You don’t tear down a $10,000 tree to build a $2,000 sidewalk.”

The board’s current mission includes community education, outreach, and stewardship of city ordinances. It also supports planning efforts like tree inventories, sidewalk mapping, and project prioritization.

According to Biddinger, the board is building an inventory of city trees that will help guide replanting, maintenance, and diversity.

“You can’t have all one kind of tree,” he said. “If a disease or pest hits, like the emerald ash borer or Asian longhorn beetle, it could wipe out a whole corridor.”

Rochester’s street trees are currently about 70% maple — a vulnerability Biddinger says needs long-term planning.

“If the USDA ever finds the Asian longhorn beetle here, they’ll start removing maples,” said Biddinger. “That’s why we need to plant smarter today.”

Beyond policy, the board welcomes passionate volunteers to help with events, education, and future board leadership.

“If someone loves trees or sidewalks, they don’t have to wait to be appointed to get involved,” Biddinger said. “We need people excited about this. We can train you on the technical stuff.”

The merged board also highlights an often-overlooked strength of small-town governance: the ability for everyday citizens to step into leadership roles.

“I know someone who started on a tree board and later became mayor,” Biddinger said. “Sometimes you just need to show up, speak up, and do the work.”

Roe echoed that sentiment. “We want to get people engaged who maybe didn’t know they could be. You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference — you just have to care.”