/Minden Hills pays $11k for tree removal

Minden Hills pays $11k for tree removal

By James Matthews

If a tree falls in Minden Hills, does its removal become the responsibility of the municipality?

That question was debated during council’s Aug. 8 meeting when councillors pored over invoices that totalled the $440,296 paid out.

Boshkung Tree Service in Algonquin Highlands was paid $11,074 to remove trees

If that’s the amount to remove a tree, Councillor Bob Sisson said the work should have been tendered other than opting for a single vendor.

Mike Timmins, the township’s public works director, described an emergency situation in which a downed tree had to be dealt with immediately.

“It was an urgent blocking of rivers scenario,” Timmins said.

“Where was this tree?” Coun. Ivan Ingram said.

“This tree was on the river, Gull River, up Deep Bay Road,” Timmins said

“How far up there?” Ingram said.

“A couple kilometres,” Timmins said.

“I don’t understand why we’re cutting trees,” Ingram said.

He said there’s a similar problem with a tree on a piece of the Irondale River, if the municipality is starting to remove trees from public land.

“I understand we’re to look after trees that aren’t normally looked after but, to me, that’s a bit of a stretch,” Ingram said.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell said council discussed the Gull River tree as part of deliberations to ink the 2024 capital and operational municipal budget.

“Because it was considered a danger tree and there was not enough money, was my understanding,” she said. “And then it did fall so we kind of had to (remove it).”

“During budget (discussions) we were told about a tree,” said Coun. Tammy McKelvey. “I honestly thought it was on Orange (Drive) and I had assumed it was on the shoreline allowance up the river that we look after between the walking path and that sort of thing.”

She said council information indicates the tree was at 34 Water Street, which is incorrect.

“I think we need a policy going forward on whether we’re going to do these trees in front of private property,” McKelvey said. “That’s what this was. This wasn’t our shoreline allowance along the river walk.”

“It’s a navigable waterway, right?” said Mayor Bob Carter.

“We have a lot of those,” McKelvey said. “If a tree falls down in front of your house, are we going to go and get it?”

Carter said he’s dealt with such incidents himself.

McKelvey said council has to pay the invoice from Boshkung Tree Service, but there should be a policy to provide clear direction for similar future situations.

Cynthia Fletcher, the township’s CAO, said there is indeed a need to set out where and when the municipality will do tree work. She said staff can weigh whether or not a policy or an operating procedure is needed for such decisions.