Forester recommends consultant for tree-harvesting proposals

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- A state forester is suggesting that the city throw out all bids to harvest trees in the community and hire a consultant to handle that job.
The recommendation was made Monday during a city council meeting by Alan R. Siewert, an urban forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The administration will open proposals Wednesday for logging trees on city-owned property as a money-making venture.
After the council session, Mayor James J. Melfi said the bids will be opened, but the board of control doesn't have to award any contract.
"This is new territory for us. We're going to move very slowly," the mayor asserted. "We, ourselves, will do nothing drastic to change the appearance of the city."
When asked about hiring a consultant, Melfi hinted that someone will be needed to manage the program.
Points of consideration
Siewert said the contract should not be awarded because it, among other things, calls for cutting down trees on the basis of their diameter.
He explained that some trees that reach 16 inches in diameter are mature and can be harvested, but others with the same diameter remain immature.
Also, some loggers are apt to take shortcuts, he said, to make a profit.
In another matter, council agreed to fund a part-time zoning inspector position.
Councilman Joseph Lambert, chairman of the finance committee, recommended approval. Lambert, D-at large, pointed out that his committee thinks the position is needed to serve residents and won't cost much. He put the cost at $4,880 annually.
Also, council approved legislation banning billboards and free-standing outdoor advertising signs for one year.
During the May 10 meeting, Melfi told lawmakers he won't issue any permits for such signs, although an earlier ban had expired.
He said at the time that the city has been attempting to improve its appearance, especially with the widening of State Street (U.S. Route 422). If there is no moratorium, it opens the door to every business to erect a sign, he added.
Further matters
Lawmakers tabled an ordinance that would combine the positions of safety director and service director and sent it to the finance committee.
When the legislation reached the floor of council Monday, there were blanks to indicate the annual salary and the fund from which the safety-service director would be paid.
In another matter, lawmakers authorized the city to advertise for bids for the construction of waterlines in Liberty using state Issue 2 funds.
The $903,000 project calls for 5,900 feet of line along Church Hill-Hubbard Road and Logan Avenue and 3,135 feet of line on Tibbetts-Wick Road between Belmont Avenue and Sampson Drive.
The city will pay $95,000 over three years. It provides water to the township. Liberty will pay $100,000 and Trumbull County, $95,000; the balance will come from state funds.
yovich@vindy.com