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Commission flags failing ash trees and invasive knotweed near town roads
Summary
Commissioners reviewed an ash-tree inventory and flagged multiple high-risk ash trees near roadways that split and fall; Horace Duke recommended hiring a crew to remove hazardous trees and the commission discussed sharing the inventory with town staff.
Commissioners told the meeting they have an ash-tree inventory and are seeing many failing ash trees across town that present safety and maintenance issues. Rich Turner said the inventory shows high-risk areas and that arborists are using bucket trucks rather than climbing to remove damaged trees; Horace Duke said, "On many of the roads in town you will see them close to the road. They just splinter and fall apart," and recommended hiring a crew to remove roadside trees deemed hazardous.
The commission discussed passing the inventory and high-risk locations to Town Manager Ryan and the new Road Foreman, Elwin Chambers, for follow-up and potential contracting. Members also raised Japanese knotweed as another invasive species of concern; no formal budgetary or contracting decisions were made at the meeting.
