Scouts to plant trees in MV

MOUNT VICTORY — Finding the right trees for the right locations will be the task soon to be undertaken by area Boy Scouts in Mount Victory.

During her Tree Committee report to the Mount Victory Council at Thursday’s regular meeting, Councilwoman Alexis Hilyard reported on a committee meeting held prior to council during which time the upcoming project was discussed.

Mayor Mike Trout elaborated on the Boy Scout and Eagle Scout project, which will aim to research which trees are best suited for certain areas of the village.

“When they approached and asked if there was anything we had they could help with, we said, ‘Yes, the trees,’” Trout said.

“We had some issues with having a lot of options of trees, but not putting a lot of thought into what was planted where.”

There are several possible locations for trees on the north end of town, the mayor reported. On the tree lawn, he said, there is an area of about three blocks that is either sparesly planted or has no plantings at all.

“That’s where we have the issues with the storm drains and the catch basins, so we want something with small leaves to pass through there,” Trout said.

“There’s sidewalks and people park on the streets, so you don’t want flowering or fruit-producing trees up there.”

On the south side, however, the opposite is true, Trout said.

“You don’t have any sidewalks and there’s no street parking, so that opens up that opportunity there, but it needs to be short height because of the utility wires,” Trout explained.

With the Boy Scouts being a well-respected organization, Trout said, there’s a good possibility that they will get the materials and labor donated to the projecct.

The project also helps with one of the village’s requirements of maintaining its Tree City status.

“Because we’re required to have an educational tie-in to maintain our Tree City status, and Ridgemont hasn’t seemed interested the last few years in participating, the Scouts said they’d love to participate,” the mayor said.

Hilyard noted that the project will not be started right away and will be more of a long-term project set in states.

“We’re looking at them maybe starting over the next couple of months and they’re going to be starting on the south end of the village on Main Street,” Hilyard said.

“We’re going to tie in Arbor Day with (the project) as well.”

Also during the meeting, Trout posed to council the idea of running a general ad for various duties that need done in helping Village Administrator Dan Stuck, who said he works seven days a week around the village.

The village is seeking someone who could run meter routes every month, and also someone who could be a general maintenance person, among other duties.

Village Solicitor Mark Schwemer suggested splitting up the tasks into separate ads, then see who applies and if anyone could possibly take on more than one responsibility.

Council agreed that it was time an ad be ran to help Stuck, as village officials have been talking about the need with no action taken for several years, according to Councilwoman Kelly Skaggs.

Also during the meeting, council:

– Approved the Summer Nights wine tasting event planned for Aug. 4, as well as its F4 liquor permit which allows for tasting and 5-ounce glasses.

– Heard the administrator’s report, which noted such items as the water plant’s normal level of production, street repair work being completed, and a stop sign at North and Washington streets being knocked down as a result of Class 8 trucks trying to navigate the village on North Street during a train stoppage.

By TY THAXTON
Times staff writer