Tree Trimmers and Homeowner Safety Brought up at North Canton City Council Meeting

City Council members want to spare North Canton residents the headache of dealing with tree trimmers who don’t have insurance.

Councilman Mark Cerreta brought up the concern at Monday night’s City Council meeting, saying, “This is just a logical thing to protect our citizens.”

He said residents can find themselves in trouble if a tree trimmer who doesn’t have insurance gets injured while working on their property. And some might say that they have insurance when they really don’t.

Mayor David Held said it’s an especially important topic for North Canton right now because of the recent death of Louisville resident on Furbee Avenue SW in North Canton. The owner of Smedley’s Tree Service in Nimishillen Township was trimming the tree in an old bucket truck when one of the hydraulic cylinders came loose and caused the bucket to fall at least 30 feet to the ground.

Council members discussed creating an ordinance that would require tree trimmers to have a city-issued permit, $100,000-$300,000 in liability insurance and/or membership in the Tree Care Industry Association or International Society of Arboriculture.

“We’re trying to make sure people trimming trees, whether they’re off the ground or they’re cutting from the ground or any sort of elevation, that they’re protected and the homeowner is protected as well,” Held said.

Council only discussed their options Monday night and took no action.