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Council approves $2,500 to remove large, failing oak in Congress Square
Summary
After an arborist assessment that the historic oak in Congress Square cannot be saved, the council approved a $2,500 removal quote from ProTree and instructed staff to proceed; the action was taken by motion and approved by recorded 'aye' responses.
The Orleans Town Council approved a $2,500 bid from ProTree to remove a large oak on the southeast side of Congress Square after hearing an arborist’s assessment that the tree is beyond treatment.
Council members said the tree’s trunk is split and substantial portions are dead; the certified arborist reported prior attempts to preserve the tree were unsuccessful because of compacted soil and other site stresses. The council discussed funding the removal from the parks budget and, after a motion, recorded multiple aye votes to authorize the work.
One council member said, “I make a motion that we approve the $2,500,” and the motion was seconded and carried. Meeting minutes and vote commentary show broad support; a precise roll-call tally is not set out in the transcript, though multiple 'aye' responses were recorded.
Staff and councilors said they would coordinate timing and debris removal and use park funds to pay the contractor. The removal will allow the town to address safety concerns in the square and plan for any future replanting or design work.
