Commission member proposes $100,000 for tree removal, cites ash borer; Lantern Fly also noted

During new business on Sept. 9, Planning Commission member Horace Duke proposed a $100,000 addition to the town budget to fund removal of dead and pest-damaged trees across Williamstown.

"I say that we add monies ($100,000) to get some trees cut down around town. Might have to hire someone to just cut down some dead trees," Duke said, noting pest impacts including the Emerald Ash Borer. David Traczyk added that the Spotted Lanternfly appears to be migrating north from Connecticut and could cause additional damage: "I have heard that the Lantern Fly is heading north from CT way. My siblings in CT are saying that they are everywhere and doing a lot of damage to the trees also."

The proposal was discussed but not adopted at the Sept. 9 meeting; commissioners did not record a formal vote on new tree funding during this session. Any budget change would need to be considered in the commission’s upcoming budget work before final decisions.