A forester has evaluated the nature park in Polk Township and has identified approximately 40 trees that need to be cut down.

“I would say they are about 90 percent ash trees,” said Polk Township Chairman Brian Ahner. “There is at least one large pine tree that needs to be cut down as well.”

Ahner said that there are other trees that have died and are leaning, but they do not pose a threat to the parking lot, pavilion or the walking trails.

Ahner said that township employees will take down the trees that do not pose a danger to the employees, and the rest will have to be done by professionals.

The nature park will remain closed until it is safe to reopen.

The walking park is closed due to all of the rain, and will reopen when it is safe as well.

Recycling

The township truck used to transport recyclables was damaged in an rollover crash earlier this month. The insurance company has not determined if it can be fixed or not. In the meantime the township is unable to haul its recycling to Chestnuthill.

Ahner said that the township is considering raising dump fees for the coming year.

“I hate to do it,” he said. “But with recycling not bringing as much money as it used to, we don’t have the money to offset the cost.”

Ahner said that the transfer station is operating at a loss currently.

“I am just worried that if we raise the fees, residents might not use it,” Ahner added.

Other business

Township secretary Ruthanne Toner said that the township received word from the Department of Agriculture that pairs of employees will be canvassing the township looking for spotted lanternflies.

“They will be working in pairs, and they will have on vests that say USDA on them, and they will have identification,” she said. “So don’t go calling the police on them if you see them.”

Township solicitor Jim Fareri informed the supervisors that he has filed a suit on a property in the Robin Hood Lakes development for a malfunctioning septic system. Fareri said he has tried numerous times to reach the parties involved and they have yet to respond to his correspondence.

Fareri is also continuing to work with a bank on a Ken-Mar property with a similar problem.

The supervisors agreed to post a speed limit of 35 mph on Floyd Drive. Township engineer Russell Kresge was asked to determine if the curves on the road need a reduced speed warning as well.

The Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company is holding its first trunk or treat starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday. the event is rain or shine and will be moved inside the hall if the weather is bad.