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Board authorizes sale of city-owned ash trees from water plant to Allard Lumber amid emerald ash borer concern
Summary
The board authorized the public works commissioner to sell ash trees harvested from the water treatment facility to Allard Lumber Company; estimate of revenue was $10,000–$12,000 and work will follow state best practices for water-quality protection.
Rutland aldermen on Jan. 21 authorized the Commissioner of Public Works to sell city-owned ash trees harvested from the water treatment facility to Allard Lumber Company.
City staff said foresters identified about five acres of ash trees on the water plant property that are merchantable while emerald ash borer threatens future value. The foresters and public works staff proposed harvesting the ash in-house, loading logs for delivery to a mill, and selling directly to a lumber buyer. The packet included price sheets from three lumber yards; Allard Lumber Company (Bristol) offered the strongest pricing, city staff said.
The city estimated revenue in the $10,000–$12,000 range. The aldermen voted to authorize the sale and confirmed the proceeds will be deposited into the water fund. Commissioners said the harvest would be carried out quickly (a week or two) and that in-house crews would follow state acceptable management practices to protect water quality and soils. Aldermen asked about replanting; the public works representative did not have a replanting plan at the meeting but offered to follow up with details to the board.
The motion passed by voice vote following a brief suspension of the rules; no specific contractor award beyond the buyer designation was included in the authorization.
