Council approves $4,500 to trim Main Street trees, asks staff to consult adjacent homeowner

The Hamilton County Town Council voted to accept a $4,500 bid from Wolford's to trim trees along Main Street, with a stipulation that staff ask the adjacent homeowner whether she prefers to maintain or remove the trees in front of her house.

Council member (speaker 3) introduced the motion to approve ‘‘a 4,500 to do what's on this bid. Wolford's,’’ adding the condition that staff talk to the homeowner about whether she wants to keep or remove the trees. Chair (speaker 2) called for the vote and members approved the motion by voice.

The discussion that preceded the motion focused on three Cleveland pear trees near Broadway that encroach into the festival booth area and one tree the council agreed appears to be dying. Utilities/code staff (Luke, speaker 7) said Wolford's had provided a quote and that Wolford's availability before the upcoming festival was limited; council members debated trimming versus removal and emphasized approaching the homeowner first out of respect.

During debate, the chair noted the trees were originally planted with council approval and that past agreements included homeowner maintenance. Several members favored hiring the tree service to ensure symmetry and safety for festival booth placement; one member said the dying tree should be removed for safety reasons.

Council directed staff to notify Wolford's to schedule the work and to reach out to the homeowner before crews begin. No additional budget source was identified in the discussion; the chair characterized the expense as a routine street-tree maintenance contract.

The council's action resolves the immediate aesthetic and safety question on Main Street ahead of the town festival; staff said they will coordinate scheduling with Wolford's and report logistics back to the council if timing or price adjustments are required.