By Genine Hopkins
At the recommendation of Eric Abbey, the Sexton (Manager) of the Middle Branch Township Cemeteries, the Board of Trustees approved to have several large, dead trees culled before they cause damage to the headstones/markers or to a person visiting their loved ones. Initially, Abbey was seeking the removal of four trees that were at the entrances to both the first and second cemeteries, but a request was made to also add in a dead pine that was located at the back of the first cemetery near the McCrimmons grave site. The pine had been rendered dead by a pileated woodpecker. The other trees include two old black walnut trees in cemetery two that area quite literally falling apart and two large and old maples in cemetery one again near the entrance; all four trees are more complicated in removal by their proximity to the power lines.
Abbey requested four bids for the removal of the four trees, two from each vendor with one being just taking the trees down and rough cutting them to complete removal and stump grinding. The lowest came in at $3,600 from Krisch Tree Removal in Tustin, with the downside being its long time before the township could be fit into their schedule, which would occur in about five weeks. Even other bids were a bit out before the removal could take place, therefore the board had a motion by Trustee Bruce Tower on accepting the bid from Krisch, before Township Supervisor Glenn Wilson added to the discussion, requesting that the old pine tree in cemetery one also be added to the vote.
“It’s not a question of if but when those trees will come down,” Wilson said, “But that old pine by McCrimmons site is in as rough shape and should also be put into this bid.”
Trustee Tower amended his motion to include asking Krisch Tree Removal to provide bid to include the old pine as well, for full clean up including stump removal, not to exceed a specific amount. The Township Clerk Peggy Hoard supported the motion that passed unanimously.
