Would a full time arborist really be of benefit in the storm? Money is better spent on tree cutters and police/fire. The tree-trimmer contractors should offer inspection services in exchange for the business of trimming the trees.
The winter storm that ripped through the Monterey Peninsula two weeks ago cost the financially strapped City of Pacific Grove about $30,000.
Employees from numerous city departments worked a total of 316 overtime hours during the storm, which brought down at least 20 trees, said city manager Jim Colangelo.
The $30,000 represents the cost in overtime pay, damage done by city trees, and the fee for independent contractors, which Colangelo said included mainly tree crews. The city doesn’t have a full-time arborist.