Protesters claim marking trees exposes them to liability

            A group of Hereford residents attended the board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 5, to speak out against the ordinance regarding the removal of dead trees throughout the community.

            Residents have attended the past few meetings to have their voices heard about the ordinance and the work of the arborist the supervisors have hired to identify and mark dead trees that are potentially dangerous.

            The property owners have been particularly troubled by the marking of trees with large red Xs, which they say exposes them to liability if one of these trees would fall and hurt somebody.

            One resident called the markings "anti-Christ Xs."

            The residents also repeatedly said that they could not afford to have the work done and were concerned about the liens that could be placed on their property if the work wasn't done.

            One individual, speaking on behalf of a property owner on Five Points Road who was out of town, said that he had assembled a "legal team," which is going to file a lawsuit against the township and the arborist for "violation of constitutional rights," trespassing, and marking of the trees.

            Other residents spoke of preparing a petition to have the ordinance rescinded.

            Supervisors John Membrino and Keith Masemore listened to all the comments, and responded to questions as they could, though many of the situations the residents suggested were hypothetical in nature.

            Membrino said, "The ash trees are particularly dangerous because they're unpredictable." 

            In the engineer's report, Jennifer Van Dyke reported that the arborist had provided a bid packet for removal of trees on Hollyberry Road that are in the township's right-of-way. Township solicitor Eugene Orlando will review prior to advertisement.

            Letters will be sent to residents shortly identifying the trees on their properties that will need to be removed.