The removal of dying ash trees continues to be a concern for the Winamac Park Board, as it puts together its 2018 budget. Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo estimates about 75 ash trees remain at the town park. He told the park board Monday that about six of those will soon have to be cut down by a contractor. Many of those are in danger of falling on shelters.
However, several ash trees are leaning out over the river, and DeLorenzo doesn’t think the town would be able to find a contractor willing to cut them down. Other trees are still healthy for now, but will have to be removed in the coming years.
With tax revenues declining, Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger suggested Monday that board members consider using some of the money budgeted in the town’s Recreation Fund. Typically, the town budgets $40,000 to operate a swimming pool. With construction of a new pool still some time away, that money may be transferred to other uses.
In addition to tree removal, the park board also discussed using it to help pay for restroom upgrades or additional part-time help. DeLorenzo pointed out that lawn mowing and leaf pickup continue into the early fall, after the summer employee is done for the season. He added that mowing, weed removal, and trash pickup often leave little time for repair projects. Park Board President Courtney Poor plans to meet with the town council in the coming months to discuss adding more part-time help.
Most of Monday’s discussions focused on stretching the use of the existing park and recreation budget. The only actual change the board wants to make next year involves the salary of Park Board Secretary Kim Burke. “I want Kim to get $1,000 a year,” said Poor. “I want an increase. If we’ve got to cut, let’s cut something else. But if she’s going to have all the work that she has done, I want her to get a raise. Because there sure as hell isn’t just one meeting a month. I know how that goes.”
Poor pointed out that Burke has taken on additional work for the park board, in addition to her duties as deputy clerk. That included putting together much of the grant application for the town’s swimming pool rebuilding project.
Currently, Burke is paid $30 a meeting for her work with the park board. In spite of protests from Burke, the park board voted unanimously to give her a $1,000 salary, starting next year.
