Tilmus residents ask for tree care

A group of Tilmus Street residents in Coulee Dam asked the town council for better care of the sycamore trees lining the street.

They said the trees, which once were taken care of regularly by the town, have become overgrown and possibly dangerous.

“They’re the worst I’ve seen them since I’ve lived on Tilmus … since 1966,” said Merv Schmidt, a former town council member. “Why we got out of the plan of taking care of our trees on an annual basis, I’d like to know.”

Mayor Greg Wilder said the town’s volunteer board dedicated to tree issues has been revived and that the council will consider a $75,000 tree-care line item in the budget to be proposed for next year. Only $600 had been allotted this year.

Schmidt and others would like to have seen the town’s crew trimming a tunnel through the trees the next day, however.

Councilmember Gayle Swagerty said the town’s trees have been a high priority for her since she got on the council. She said there is a seat open on the five-member Parks and Natural Resources Board currently.

Wilder said he and the town’s maintenance foreman would make a plan to tackle the problem.