Storms causing tree concerns

Recent severe storms in the area are causing concern with hazardous trees in Montrose Borough.
The borough had instituted a hazardous tree program, working with a tree smith, and will be following up with some property owners about taking some more trees down around the town.
Borough foreman Ken DiPhillips also recommended extending the subcontracted work of the canopy trimming crew for three more days. The crew is comprised of four people, a bucket truck and a chipper at $1,200 per day. Council approved the request.
Nature seemed to be the focus of the Monday, June 5, borough council meeting. In addition to the tree talk, the borough also approved the planting of about 120 daffodil bulbs in the borough’s triangle lot at the junction of Cherry Street and South Main.
Bill Kearn and Sandy Boyle of Countryside Conservancy introduced themselves to council, offering a brief narrative of the non-profit land trust’s work in three counties – Susquehanna, Wyoming and Lackawanna – in the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed.
There is an overabundance of wood chips that can be used as mulch available from the borough at no cost. The wood chips could be delivered to borough residents; all others interested picking up the wood chips should contact the borough office.
Council gave its support and backing to a second year of Music/Movie in the Park.
The monthly offering will kick off Friday, June 16 and will be held on the third Friday in the months of July and August.
Music will begin at 7 p.m.; with a family-friendly movie played at dusk. There will be pizza, popcorn and beverages available for a nominal cost.
The borough received a $21,810 Dirt & Gravel Road Program grant for work on Griffis Hill. According to grant specifications, the project will be completed by May 25, 2018.
Council also reviewed revised South Main Street project drawings. Some points of access onto the street will be affected, and some parking spaces eliminated.
Pennsylvania American Water Company is hoping to have a contract signed by the end of June with their work starting on South Main Street after July 4.