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Commission orders highway department to clear trees near Silver Spur after resident safety complaint
Summary
After residents flagged large cottonwoods near a T‑intersection on Silver Spur as hazardous, commissioners approved a motion directing the highway department to clear the township right of way using county equipment; one commissioner voiced opposition during the voice vote.
Residents and township officers raised a safety concern about cottonwoods growing close to the road and a T‑intersection on Silver Spur, saying sight lines are limited and drivers sometimes fail to yield. Commissioners and road staff inspected the area and weighed options including trimming, removing trees with an excavator and pursuing safety grants or additional signage.
A township representative requested the county use highway department equipment to clear the right of way; a motion was made and seconded to have the highway department clear the stretch and use the excavator as needed. The chair called for a voice vote; several commissioners said “aye,” one voiced opposition, and the motion carried. Commissioners asked staff to consult with resident homeowners to minimize removal of prized trees where possible.
Why it matters: overgrown vegetation in rights of way can obscure sight lines at intersections and has been linked to crashes in the county. Highway staff said doing the work now would be quicker and cheaper than waiting for damage to occur.
What’s next: road staff will schedule the clearing work and attempt to coordinate with nearby residents to preserve desirable trees where feasible.
