TRUMBULL COUNTY Company selected for tree harvest deal

Another company that bid on the project is threatening to sue the city.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- A Trumbull County timber company was expected to be awarded the contract today to harvest trees on city-owned property.
Mayor James J. Melfi told members of city council's community development committee Thursday that the city board of control will award the contract today to Gustavus Hardwoods.
Melfi had said the city can expect to receive about $500,000 within the next year to 18 months from the harvesting.
Gustavus, one of three companies to bid on the work, will pay the city 60 percent of timber sales during harvesting, which could take two years to complete.
For its 40 percent, Gustavus will take the timber out of the woods and grade and seed the paths left behind.
Gustavus will receive 45 percent of the sale price if debris must be chipped because Gustavus does not now have a market for the chips.
If there are any unforeseen costs, they will be split between the city and Gustavus.
Other bidders were J.R. Lumber Co. of Middlefield, which proposed a $231,000 flat payment to the city to down the trees. Mitchell Tree of Pulaski, Pa., offered the city 50 percent of the tree sales but would charge the city $200 per truckload of timber removed.
Contesting bidding
Thomas Jones of Girard, an agent for J.R. Lumber, said his company plans to file a lawsuit to force the city to rebid the harvesting.
He told Melfi and the committee that Service Director Rex Funge told him bids were to be presented in cash amounts rather than in percentages.
"We will file a lawsuit. What else can we do?" Jones asserted.
He pointed out that the cost of timber could fall, lowering the revenue the city would receive, or heavy rains could prevent the removal of trees.
The mayor and Councilman John Moliterno, committee chairman, said trees will not be cut until a forester is hired to manage the harvest.
Melfi added that he has obtained the names of certified foresters from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Melfi pointed out that harvesting will begin at the Girard Lakes because the ODNR has told him "new growth is being squeezed out" and would make the area more conducive to development.
The mayor and Moliterno, D-at large, stressed that trees in parks will not be felled to generate revenue. Rather, they will be taken away for safety reasons, such as falling because of storms.
yovich@vindy.com