Monday, December 18, 2017
YOUNGSTOWN — Mill Creek MetroParks will open up training opportunities to employees who wish to become certified arborists.
The MetroParks board approved that action at a meeting tonight despite some disagreement on the issue.
The board’s standing committee on horticulture had recommended the MetroParks hire a full-time certified arborist. MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young, however, recommended a different approach to maintaining the park’s trees: Training employees, and continuing the practice of contracting some work out.
“The recommendation to the board is one of cost-effectiveness that we feel is meeting the needs of the MetroParks,” he said.
Young said the MetroParks spends about 10 percent of what a full-time arborist would cost by maintaining trees via current staff and contracted services.
For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com