Storm damage Barbara Christiansen's home at the corner of Madison and Market streets in Delphi was damaged when a tree fell on it during a storm last Wednesday. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe Barbara Christiansen purchased the house at 123 W. Madison St., on the corner of Madison and Market streets, in Delphi after her husband passed away 13 years ago. There was a large tree located beyond her property line on the street side of the sidewalk. Christiansen believed the tree should be removed for safety reasons when she moved into the house and believed it belonged to the City of Delphi.

According to Christiansen, Sam Deiwert was mayor at the time so she called him about the tree. She said she was told that if she had it removed she would be assessed a $500 fine because, it belonged to the city.

Christiansen said she asked the next mayor, Lee Hoard, to remove the tree for safety reasons approximately six years ago. She said Hoard told her that, although it belonged to the city, it was structurally sound and no action would be taken.

The tree fell onto Christiansen's home last Wednesday night in the storm that ripped through Delphi. It landed on her roof and caused significant damage. She said she called current mayor Randy Strasser. She said she was told the city was not responsible for the damage because it was a result of an act of God.

"I didn't see any point in arguing with him," Christiansen said. "He told me to contact my insurance company and get an estimate of the damage. I work at McDonald's and I don't have house insurance."

Although the house was damaged, Christiansen said she has been staying in it.

"The damage isn't as bad as we first thought," she said. "Only one part of the roof is damaged and two bags of ceiling tiles were water damaged."

Christiansen said she has family members who are supportive and who are able to work on her house. She paid someone to cut the tree off of her house on Sunday so the house could be assessed for safety reasons. Electrical power was restored Monday.

Christiansen said she learned that the city adopted a tree ordinance within the past two years. She said she hoped the ordinance would help her prove her point with the board of works, which next meets Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.

Delphi Street Commissioner Aaron Lyons said Tuesday the city has a tree manual, inventory and ordinance, which established a tree commission. He said the program was developed when Hoard was mayor and Delphi became a "Tree City." Lyons said, however, the commission has not met since Hoard left office.

According to the tree inventory, funded by a grant which paid an arborist for a professional document, the tree in question was declared in "fair" condition and given a 65 percent (out of a possible 100) rating overall. Lyons said the city strives to address those trees listed on the inventory as needing to be removed and has limited manpower to perform other routine tasks. The tree at the corner of Madison and Market streets was to be only "monitored" by city officials.

Delphi's Tree Manual and Tree Ordinance can be found on city's Web site, www.cityofdelphi.org. The tree inventory can be viewed by visiting Lyon's office. Lyons can be reached by calling the city building at (765) 564-2097.