W. Penn resident warns of dangerous trees

A West Penn Township resident has warned township officials about a pair of tall trees that he says are a danger and need to be cut down.

Resident Larry Stival told the township’s board of supervisors Monday morning that the two trees on Dorset Road are 60 feet tall and 18 inches in diameter.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti attempted to explain to Stival that the township must walk a fine line when it comes to tree removal.

“It’s a real wacky situation with trees in the township,” Prudenti said. “The problem comes in with right of way and spending township money.”

After hearing more from Stival about the potential danger the trees pose, Prudenti said a letter needs to be send out immediately to the property owner.

Supervisor Tim Houser told Stival there are some trees that the township can’t take down safety without them falling on power lines.

“I understand your concern, but there’s only a limited amount we can do,” Houser said.

Stival said that while he understood, the trees are a real hazard.

“There’s a couple of them that are liabilities,” Stival said.

Houser agreed and said the situation may only get worse.

“We’re going to have a lot of issues with trees because of all the insects,” he said.

In the fall, township Supervisor Ted Bogosh cut down a dangerous tree located on Spring Road that had been leaning on power lines, and was only held up by an oak tree on the other side of the road.