York waits to release funds for tree work

Storm cleanup costs not yet calculated

Carol Bressi examines the damage to her car and home on Donica Road in York, Maine, after a severe thunderstorm pounded the town on July 15. Bressi was eating in her kitchen when trees started to come down all around her house.Ioanna Raptis/iraptis@seacoastonline.com

YORK, Maine The Board of Selectmen on Monday deferred releasing $100,000 from a contingency account to pay for tree cleanup from last week's microburst storm, but said the town would pay its bills.

In an unanimous vote, the five-member board moved to have the town manager pay the bills as necessary and wait for a full accounting of expenses prior to releasing contingency funds.

Selectmen agreed to allow residents to put tree debris curbside for town pickup to the transfer station. Department of Public Works Director Dean Lessard is requesting residents move material to the side of the road for pickup by Monday, July 28.

The town's contingency account of $100,000 is on the town budget referendum each May. It authorizes selectmen to spend up to $100,000 for emergencies and other needs not known at the time of budget preparation, according to the warrant article approved by voters this past May and in previous years.

The last time the contingency was used was in 2010, when York experienced a June microburst storm that also felled trees and cut power lines.

Lessard estimated $90,000 to $100,000 was spent in 2010 for tree removal, and said Monday he expected to need a similar amount to clean up damage from the microburst of July 15. The bulk of the funds is to pay three private contractors hired to remove trees and limbs from streets, rights of way and sidewalks, he said.

Lessard has employed Lee Tree Co., Abbott Bros Inc. and Pierre Puffer, and has yet to get a bill, according to Lessard. He estimated each so far had put in about 75 hours, at $100 an hour for the cost of the crew, for an estimated $7,500 for each contractor.

That doesn't include hiring the contractors to pick up tree debris curbside, as was approved Monday and has been past practice, he said.

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York waits to release funds for tree work