Nature trail to be cleared

The Kelly Baggs Nature Trail at Weiler-Wilson Park in Portland may soon be re-opened.

Portland Board of Works members agreed Thursday to hire Myron Terrain Management, New Albany, to address dangers along the trail created by a combination of emerald ash borer and sustained high winds last fall.

The nature trail has been closed to the public for more than a year.

With an abundance of ash trees, the wooded area along the south bank of the Salamonie River took a major hit from the ash borer. 

And heavy winds last fall and winter did even more damage.

More than 200 dead trees have been marked for removal by Myron Terrain Management. 

The company is owned by Jay County native and former resident Ben Myron.

Cost of the clean-up is $28,500, which the city will pay for with economic development income tax funds, citing the quality of life aspect of the nature trail.

In other business, the board of works:

•Agreed to transfer ownership of a training trailer from the Portland Fire Department to the Grant County Fire Department at the request of the Grant County Fire Instructors Association, a regional organization. Portland firefighters will continue to have access to the trailer for training purposes.

•Tabled a proposal for the purchase of a screw machine for the wastewater treatment plant intended to reduce residual sludge that is hauled away.

•Agreed to reimburse Bobby Ruiz $2,157.30 for repair costs related to a sewer line at a rental property at 633 S. Wayne St. that had not been installed properly during a city project.