Park board awaits word on tree removal
LUZERNE TWP. – Brownsville-Luzerne Park Board officials are still awaiting word from Luzerne Township officials regarding the removal of trees from the park. Frank Ricco, chairman of the park board, informed the board at its monthly meeting that Brownsville Borough already has granted the board permission to go forth with plans to begin logging timber.
“All they ask is that we use discretion on the selection of the timber company,” Ricco said.
Board officials also reviewed numerous bids received from logging companies. According to Ricco, most of the bids range from $31,000 to $42,000, while JTE Logging Co. bid $85,000.
“JTE spelled out everything they need to do or are going to do in the process of logging,” said Ricco. “The others who bid didn’t.”
However, JTE proposal will pay only $25,000 up front, with the rest paid at a rate of $25,000 each month, after 60 days of the contract signing.
“We wanted to get as much as we could up front,” said Ricco. “Stump Lumber Co. of Punxsutawney, who had the second highest bid of $42,000, is willing to pay the $42,000 up front.”
The board made no decision on which logging company would be awarded the contract.
The park board, which has only $5,749.53 to date in its budget, hopes the money received from the logging project will help with repairs to many facilities and roads at the park, members said.
With timber being in demand during the hurricane season, the board said it wants to get the project started as soon as possible.