City Council hears concerns about water bills, tree trimming

HARTINGTON — Water and trees dominated the discussion at Monday night's Hartington City Council meeting.

The Council met with Tree Board President Dan Kathol and City Utilities Superintendent Corey Kramer about recent letters sent to local residents about tree trimming.

The city sent letters early this summer to residents who were not in compliance with city code requiring trees be trimmed so no branches are lower than eight feet above the sidewalk and 15 feet above the city streets.

City Clerk Brittni Benscoter sent out 40 additional letters this week to residents who had not yet brought their trees up to code.

Mayor Mark Becker said he had fielded some complaints about the letters and want ed to make sure everyone understood the ordinance and the procedure the city uses to inform residents of the issue.

Kramer said sanitation department employees, who are out driving all streets every week put together a list of homes where tree branches rub up against the city dump truck. That list is then compiled by the city oce and letters go out informing people they are in violation and must trim their trees.

Kathol said in past years he was more involved in the process, but because of his responsibilities with the Veterans Memorial, he has not been involved recently. He is, however, willing to get more involved again to help get the issue resolved.