CLAYPOOL — A member from the community expressed concerns about trees during the Claypool Town Council meeting held Monday, May 15.

Resident John Bullard lives on East Section Street in Claypool. He informed the council of a pending issue with several trees located at the right away on Section Street. Bullard explained the trees had been severely attacked by Japanese beetles last year.

“Unless something is done in the way of prevention, these beetles are going to come out again.”

Since the trees are owned by the city, Bullard asked the board to look into ways to treat the trees so they are not destroyed by the beetles. Council member Liz Heiman expressed concern with using chemical treatments on the trees when kids are nearby.

President Nikki Miller noted this topic seems to come up every spring. Miller added the council does not have the money to treat the trees on the tree lawn and she believed there is an ordinance in place stating that homeowners to be responsible for the tree lawn.

Miller said they would have street superintendent Gene Warner to look into non-chemical ways to treat the trees before a decision is made on who will take care of the issue.

Other News:

• Resident Penelope Wagley expressed safety concerns with concrete blocks owned by the town that are located close to her property line. Miller noted the blocks might be needed by the town in the future and are not located on Wagley’s property. Miller said they would look into who would be liable if someone were to be injured on the blocks.
• The council approved a motion to purchase a PTO shaft for a Bush Hog for $200.
• Miller stated extensive rains caused the town clean-up day to be ineffective. She will be asking for another clean-up day to be planned in the coming months.