Property owners are still going to be responsible for all costs when removing elm trees on their private property.
During Monday’s executive committee meeting, members unanimously voted to continue the current program and practices for private property as moved by Coun. Terry Coleman.
The city’s program has been in place since the 1990s and inspectors are appointed in accordance with the provincial government. The current policy regarding elm trees is that positive Dutch Elm Disease (DED) elm, dead elm, elm stumps and elm firewood are removed by the city at the city's expense on public property.
On private property, the homeowner or property owner is verbally advised as well as in writing to remove the DED affected tree within a certain period of time with all costs falling on the homeowner or property owner. If the owner does not comply, the city will remove the tree and invoice the owner.
“We shouldn’t develop bylaws (based) on information provided by applicants or people,” said Coun. Brian Swanson. “We need to have objective information.”
For more information, see an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
