Trees will be removed in the Winamac Town Park this fall. On Thursday, the park board approved a $4,200 quote from Practical Tree Service to remove a total of 15 trees. It was the lowest of a wide range of cost estimates the board had received.
Park Board President Courtney Poor wanted to take steps to ensure that all of the project’s specifications were met and suggested withholding a portion of the payment until they were. “We have had situations where there have been folks that have come down there and have left some trash and brush around, and [Park Manager] Dave [DeLorenzo] has been responsible for taking care of that after they had been paid and gone,” Poor said. “And I just want to make sure that even if he has to kind of oversee a little bit, that it’s done properly.”
But board member Brad Zellers didn’t think that was necessary for a project of this size. “I guess my thought is they’ll have it done by the time we have the next pay claim, regardless, probably, and if we don’t like it, then we’ll notify them a week-and-a-half before, saying if they want it, they need to get it finished,” he said. “I don’t think this is enough to hold much back. I just think, if they get it done we pay them, or if they’re not done, they don’t get paid.” Zellers also suggested taking pictures of the area before the work begins, to help prevent any future disputes.
Meanwhile, the park board may be looking at removing pine trees in the southeast corner of the park in the future. Town council member Alvin Parish pointed out that several of the trees along Old State Road 14 appear to be dying. Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo said it may be something to consider next year.
