Lemont Moving Ahead with Ash Tree Removal

Lemont officials Monday approved forgoing the bidding process for its ash tree removal, in favor of securing a best-case bid from Homer Tree Service.

Public Works Director Ralph Pukula will meet with the company this week to discuss options and processes for removal of the trees infested by the emerald ash borer.

Roughly 200–250 trees along parkways in Glenys and McCarthy Point subdivisions will be among the first to go.

Pukula will update the village website as more information is formalized, and Mayor Brian Reaves insisted that residents hear updates from personnel, suggesting community service officers notify homeowners.

"Personal touch is needed on this one," Reaves said. 

Many Lemont residents have been devastated to learn long-standing trees near their homes will be torn down, with little hope of replanting in the near future. Officials have earmarked $50,000 for tree removal this year, and $10,000 for replacement; the efforts in the first subdivisions alone are expected to cost $54,936.

"Homeowners, work with us," Reaves said. "We are working on the problem, trying to do the most aggressive job possible, in the most cost-effective way to get the problem eradicated.

"And then we can work on replanting."