The Public works committee supports Director Norm Fisk’s recommendation that individuals not prepared to contribute towards a tree carving would have the trees near their properties taken down by the town.
That recommendation was accepted as part of the works committee minutes without additional comments by council.
Late last year, Minto passed a tree carving policy under which the town would consider allowing a tree to be carved into a sculpture rather than simply removing it. Minto’s Works Department removes dead and dangerous trees from Minto properties on municipally owned land – primarily to ensure the safety of its residents.
The policy stated that an unhealthy tree leads to potential liability for the municipality, with broken branches falling on private property and, in an extreme case, on people.
Generally, it costs the municipality approximately $500 to remove the stump of the tree, fill in the cavity with soil, and plant grass in the area.
Now, any residents who note a tree is scheduled for removal can contact Fisk with a written request to have the tree stump carved rather than having it removed.
But there is a cost.
The price for residents to have a tree stump carved would be anything the town incurs above the $500 that the municipality would pay to have that stump removed.
Plus, the town must also agree to what would be carved prior to work starting.
