The late Bob Chaffee was honored Wednesday, a day the Village of Wellsville proclaimed as Arbor Day, locally. Chaffee, who directed the Village Department of Public Works, was also a founding member of the Wellsville Tree Board, part of Tree City USA. The local Tree Board met for the first time on December 16, 1991. Chaffee served on that Board for twenty-five years. Family members from near and far attended the event. A special concrete memorial plaque honored Chaffee as family, village officials and Tree Board members watched and listened. Susan Duke is the current President of the Wellsville Tree Board. She remembered Chaffee fondly and acknowledged his contributions and efforts during the Main Street ceremony in front of a new Pocket Park in front of Brand Name Appliances. She noted that “every tree in the village, between the sidewalk and street, is catalogued." Duke expressed her appreciation over the years from fifth graders who participated in the Arbor Day celebrations. Wellsville was one of the first communities in the region to be named a Tree City USA community. Current DPW Director Bill Whitfield said “keeping the business district green is a huge advantage.” “It matters,” he said. The village currently invests about $5,000 annually to the program. Whitfield noted that several new projects are planned for next year that will enhance the Main Street area.
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