By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice
EMPRESS – The Village of Empress council examined the results of a search for help with tree maintenance. The offers were examined at the Oct. 21 regular meeting of council.
Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carrie Loose provided councillors with an update on their direction from a previous meeting to investigate tree trimming and removal services. “Administration has reached out to 10 different companies for tree removal quotes,” stated the meeting report.
“Two quotes have been received to date and are waiting for one more. Administration is investigating liability insurance if Public Works performs the removal of the 16 trees.”
The report included the following contractors: Hat Lawn Care, Excellence Tree Services Ltd. and Out on a Limb. However, during discussion the CAO observed a new quote for services was also received, which came in the same day as the council meeting. As councillors discussed this new quote, it was noted there was no indication within it of the total days needed to complete the work.
Loose stated she would have to contact that contractor to clarify that detail.
Also, councillors discussed training for town staff in tree removal. The village is also examining existing equipment it owns that can help with the work.
Mayor Dawna Martin wanted to clarify a detail from a previous council meeting. “The lift,” said Martin. “Even though it was quoted in the Echo (newspaper) that I was talking about a tree chipper, it was not a chipper. Just putting it out there. It has to do with the lift.”
The CAO stated that she is investigating the village’s lift and considering having the equipment inspected. She noted that it appears the last time it was inspected was in 2021.
The mayor stated that she prefers for the village staff to perform the tree maintenance and removal, but that such work must be done properly and safely.
Loose also reported that she heard back about liability insurance for such work and had information on her desk about it that needed to be reviewed.
It was stated at the meeting that this item would be postponed and discussed again at a future meeting.