Chillicothe — A grant will allow the city tree commission to have stronger leadership soon. Council passed an ordinance to further refine a grant-funded city arborist position on Monday. Kathy Payne saw her ordinance pass on first reading on December 22nd.
When the city requested an “Inflation Reduction Act” grant for $300K from ODNR earlier this year, it included about $122K reserved for five years for a city arborist to “primarily be tasked to complete a city-wide inventory of all street and park trees and will also address tree preservation, pruning, planting, removal, and assessments…”
Council passed an ordinance authorizing the hire in September, and passed the other ordinance on Monday to set pay and benefits.
Chillicothe already has an award-winning tree commission. At their meeting on November 18th, they discussed the arborist position, and that one of their own might take the job.
The commission also discussed their usual caseload and workload of tree maintenance on city property and public right-of way, with a focus on dealing with trees in Yoctangee Park now that its renovation is underway.
Hear council member Payne in her own words below, as well as see photos shown in the last tree commission meeting, supplied by the city.
The Chillicothe Tree Commission usually meets third Tuesdays, and usually discusses requests, plans plantings, seeks grants from ODNR, and more. Find information on the commission on the city’s website.
Besides, the water line valve was probably to Standard Elevator, demolished there in 1988.
