Ongoing cemetery tree removal was discussed during last Thursday’s North Judson Town Council meeting. Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins told the council there are too many problem trees to remove them all at once.
However, she and Town Attorney Rachel Arndt noticed some areas that need more immediate attention. “We drove around to look at some of the dead trees and everything, and there’s actually one headstone that the tree roots are growing out underneath it,” Collins told the council. “And so, wouldn’t you agree, we need to try to address that at some point.”
Town Superintendent Marshall Hortsmann has been working to determine which trees are most in need of removal and will work to get updated prices for the work. To pay for the tree removal, Collins suggested using the $3,000 the city is saving in cemetery mowing costs this year. In the case of the tree roots affecting one of the headstones, Council President Wendy Hoppe pointed out that efforts should be taken to notify family members and get their input.
The council also gave Collins permission to start looking for volunteers to help digitize the town’s cemetery records.
Additionally, North Judson will be cleaning Highland and Pioneer cemeteries, starting Monday. Any items that families wish to keep will need to be removed before then.
