Pownal Select Board cautioned on late tree removal

POWNAL, Vt. -- At its recent regular meeting, the Select Board heard from unofficial "tree warden" and local forestry expert David Dence on hazardous tree removal and replanting efforts on town-owned land.

Also a teacher at the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center in Bennington, Dence suggested at the Thursday night meeting that the town create a plan to budget in advance for the removal of dead or potentially dangerous trees on public property. Dence listed concerns with the practice of waiting to remove trees until they are an imminent threat, or after they have already fallen.

Pointing out that the town owns a chipper and a dump truck, and could therefore eliminate costs for renting heavy equipment to assist with tree disposal, Dence was joined by Board Chairman Stephen Kauppi in his desire to preserve historic town landmarks -- namely its cemeteries and hardscapes dating back centuries.

The board approved of the idea and agreed they would be interested in following up on it, especially if CDC students were able to gain experience by contributing some of the surveying and arbor work and thereby save the town some of the overall cost.

A review of Bridge 42 was postponed Thursday due to heavy rains. Board members rescheduled the review for Thursday, Sept. 19, prior to the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Community members are welcome.

Hazardous waste collection will be held at the Shaftsbury Waste Facility on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Latex paint will not be accepted -- dried cans of latex paint may be combined with regular trash, officials said.

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Pownal Select Board cautioned on late tree removal