Tree Trimmers the Hot Topic at North Canton City Council Meeting

North Canton is inching closer to setting guidelines for tree trimmers after continuing at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Councilman Mark Cerreta said residents can find themselves in trouble if a tree trimmer who doesn’t have insurance gets injured while working on their property. He hopes to create some regulations that will protect North Canton citizens from that liability.

For starters, Cerreta, , defined a “tree trimmer.” It’s “any person, firm or corporation who engages in the business of cutting, trimming or removing trees within the city of North Canton.”

Then council talked about licenses — which could cost $100 — that are applied for through the superintendent of permits and inspection. One requirement for a license might include proof the applicant is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture or the Tree Care Industry.

Some council members, including Councilwoman Marcia Kiesling, saw the requirements as obstacles for small businesses.

“My first reaction is it might be overkill,” Kiesling said. “I’m not sure I’m for them having to come in for a license just to trim trees.”

Councilman Jeff Davis said tree-trimming companies may hike up prices for services in North Canton if they have to pay a fee for a license, and fewer tree-service companies might make themselves available to city residents.

“My question is, is government going to micromanage every business in the country so people don’t get hurt?” Davies asked.

said the requirements will keep both the homeowners and tree trimmers safe and it will be a benefit to have tree trimmers’ information on record through their licensing.

Council agreed to revisit the discussion again in a couple weeks.

In other business, Council:

• heard from Held that . Bates was previously a patrolman.
• discussed a proposed temporary traffic signal at East Maple Street and Marquardt Avenue that would cost $20,000 to install and be done by the Stark County Engineer’s Office. The project, expected to start in July, would require the closure of Applegrove Street from Marquardt Avenue to Market Avenue. The county recommends a temporary signal because of the anticipated additional traffic on Marquardt Avenue and the current difficulty to turn eastbound onto East Maple Street from Marquardt Avenue.