Commission approves contractor deposit for Whittemore tree removal

A commission member reported she solicited bids for removing a tree that must be cleared before utility crews can work on overhead lines and chose the lower bid from Tree Fellows for $1,218.75. She told the commission she mailed the contractor a check for the 20% deposit on 07/23 to secure the job and asked the crew to prioritize the work; members noted contractors commonly schedule small jobs several weeks out.

The commission discussed funding and confirmed available budget dollars can cover the removal. One member said the commission’s reserve has historically been used for surveys and tree work, and a motion to keep the existing budget (discussed separately) was later approved. The transcript records the deposit payment and the contractor price but does not capture a separate formal vote specifically approving the deposit.