Williamsburg Community School Board weighs removing trees at elementary school

School board discusses two options to handle dead trees

WILLIAMSBURG -- Dead trees and the costs associated with removing them was a topic of discussion for the Williamsburg Community School Board on Tuesday evening.

The trees behind the elementary playground are dead and the equipment area has been closed for safety reasons, as some of those dead trees fell into the playground over the summer.

Board members spent time discussing the pros and cons, and the price tag, of removing only the problem trees or clearing out a 30- to 40-foot section, starting around the basketball court along the back woods and around the kindergarten playground.

"We're going to take a look at if it's more cost-effective to just have them take out the dead trees, or if it is cost-effective to just have them take out that section," Superintendent Lisa Murgas said.

Murgas said grass would replace the trees.

It comes down to the overall cost of each option and if spending a little more to clear the whole area would be more beneficial in the end.

If the board is considering the larger project, Murgas said they'll have to seek bids.

Board member Jay Detwiler said PennDOT bidders may charge the district about $1,200 per tree or more.

Murgas talked with a contractor about the project to get an idea of what the district is looking at in regard to costs. She reported that the contractor said it will be more expensive to clear more trees around the playground, but if board members decide to clear the section, "now may be the time to do it" since they already need to remove the dead trees.

Member Benjamin Postels asked whether it would be cheaper for the board to clear out the dead trees instead, to which Murgas said the contractor didn't explicitly say clearing out the dead trees would be cheaper.

Murgas asked the board if they preferred having potential contractors submit their estimates for clearing out the dead trees and for clearing out the entire section.

Board member Joseph Detwiler asked for the board to complete the project quickly, no matter what they decide.

"I just fear that if we let those kids up there and something comes down ... I just don't want to take that chance," Murgas said.

After the meeting, Murgas said that the district will continue weighing options and will submit a request for proposal if the price is above the threshold amount. If the cost is below the threshold, the project can be completed without board approval.

Project funds will be taken from the district's general fund balance.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.