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Trustees debate HR Green $17,500 contract as tree‑replacement scope expands
Summary
The finance committee discussed a proposed $17,500 HR Green contract to prepare design and bid documents for a tree‑replacement project, with staff saying widening planting areas and utility issues expanded the scope and require a full bid; trustees asked whether the village arborist could instead manage the work.
Trustees discussed a proposed HR Green contract for $17,500 to prepare comprehensive design and bid documents for the village's tree‑replacement project. Chair noted the village arborist had already tagged trees and asked whether arborist staff could oversee the replacement rather than paying an engineer: "Couldn't that be a project that he oversaw or managed?"
Engineering and public‑works staff responded the project's scope had escalated: suggestions to widen planting areas, address both line voltage and low‑voltage wiring, and specify excavation and planting details mean the work must be packaged for a full bid process rather than an RFP. Staff said because the total will exceed the RFP threshold and likely exceed $25,000, the municipality needs a full bid package so contractors bid on an equal specification.
Trustees discussed alternatives including selecting smaller ornamental trees to reduce root‑ball size and excavation needs and avoiding a monoculture of species. The committee agreed to have Chair and staff confer with the arborist (Bruce) on tree selection and to mark sample trees before approving the contract package; no final contract vote was taken at the finance meeting.
