Jim Thorpe debates tree trimming to prevent truck damage

Overhanging tree limbs are wreaking havoc on Jim Thorpe Borough vehicles, and the municipality debated several ways to deal with the issue during Thursday night’s council workshop.

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said within the last month the borough had lost another mirror off one its trucks because of trees that were not trimmed.

According to Borough Public Works Manager Vince Yaich, similar incidents have led to more than $1,000 spent on mirror replacements.

While council left no doubt such limbs need to be cut, discussion on Thursday centered on whether to give property owners the opportunity to do it themselves or if borough workers would take care of any issues in a right of way.

“The way I look at,” Yaich said during the meeting, “PPL doesn’t notify you when they are coming to trim trees. They have the right to keep their lines and right of ways open, and they can do whatever it takes.”

Favoring Yaich’s stance, Mayor Mike Sofranko said if borough vehicles are being damaged, there are two choices: cut the trees back or bill the property owners for the truck damage.

“I don’t think there is ever a time that Vince would see the property owners and wouldn’t say, hey if you get a chance, trim those back a little,” Sofranko said. “He doesn’t whack trees down for the sake of doing it.”

On the opposing side, council President Greg Strubinger is hoping the borough can give property owners a tad more notice before doing anything itself.

“I’m just concerned if someone doesn’t know it’s a problem, we should give them an opportunity,” Strubinger said. “I don’t think that’s unreasonable. I’d hate to see someone with a tree there for 20 years and they come out the next day and it’s gone. I think that would be objectionable to most people.”

For municipalities, Councilman Jay Miller said, tree trimming debates tend to be a lose-lose situation.

“Trees are funny,” he said. “If they are falling in the street, they don’t belong to the property owner, but if we go to trim them, then they are their trees. I think we should keep the focus on why they are being trimmed.”

Sterner said it was her understanding the borough didn’t notify people in the past if it would be trimming trees, but wanted to get something in writing so everyone is on the same page. She also said a notice would be posted on the borough’s website to inform residents that trees need to be maintained to avoid issues like broken mirrors.