Tree removal pricetag growing

A controversial county project that involves removing seven of the 18 trees at Courthouse Square in downtown Sonora is expected to run about $23,000 over budget, according to a revised estimate released by the county Tuesday.

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors received an update on the progress of the project from County Administrator Craig Pedro, who said the cost for specialists to perform the tree removal and trimming work is expected to be more than double what was originally estimated.

Work is currently well underway at the park, with an expected completion date of March 6. The tree trimming and removal was initially estimated to cost only about $20,000, but the only bid received from the seven local contractors who were notified was for $42,845.

Given that increase and various project additions and chages, the price could grow to $66,000.

The Modesto-based contractor, Grover Landscape Services Inc., has an arborist on site at all times who has personally completed some of the work, Pedro said.

Theyre really paying attention to make sure this is done correctly, he said.

There have also been some additions and subtractions to the scope of the project since it began.

Pedro said the old wooden trash receptacles at the park will be replaced with nice, new metal ones at a total additional cost of $4,000, because part of the idea behind the project was to clean up the park.

A $15,000 plan to install security cameras on the surrounding buildings to document any illegal activities at the park will be funded by a grant through the Tuolumne County Transportation Council.

The board also made the suggestion of installing a sod lawn, rather than grass seeding. That will cost an extra $5,000, Pedro said.

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Tree removal pricetag growing