Lamont plants new trees; hires officer

Lamont is beginning the process of replacing scores of trees along the streets of Washington’s second smallest incorporated town.

Mayor Steve Lacy said the goal is to replace many of the trees planted 40 years ago that are now beginning to catch diseases and die.

The town purchased 60 trees from Lincoln County’s annual tree sale. Residents interested in having trees planted on city property near their house should contact town hall.

Lamont town council Monday night approved the purchase of a new chainsaw to add to the town’s arsenal of tree maintenance equipment. Currently, the town owns a riding lawnmower, a weed eater, a pickup truck and shovels.

Lacy said the saw will be a big help in trimming the town’s trees to manageable sizes, offsetting the need to hire an outside firm to fall big trees, a service which can cost as much as $500 per tree.

Wood from the old trees is made available to local residents and organizations in need of firewood.

Also Monday, the council approved hiring Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Pelissier to act as the town’s code enforcement officer in his off hours.

The council decided to hire him to act as an independent observer of how the town’s ordinances are enforced.

Lacy will act as judge and the council as a jury in the event Pelissier’s civil citations are challenged.