SYRACUSE - Tree stumps in the public right-of-way will soon be no more.

The Syracuse town council Tuesday approved $6,000 in appropriations for the removal of stumps and damaged limbs and trees. The damage was a result of a recent storm.

A local contractor will do the trimming and removal. The stumps will be removed in order of priority. Property owners who have tree problems on their property must take care of their own, Town Manager Matt Vigneault said.

The contractor is charging the city $75 per stump. Many of the trees, Vigneault said, were 2 or 3 feet in diameter.

"We felt that it was a pretty good price for that size of trees," he said.

The council will seek federal grants to replace the trees.

"I feel that we're on the right track," Vigneault said.

The council discussed the proposed budget and revenue scheme.

If the council can, Vigneault said, after the state field agent looks at their proposed budget, the town would like to have a special meeting. The special meeting would be held if the state tells Syracuse they need to cut back on their expenditures. In the special meeting, the council would like the public to help decide what to cut back.

Vigneault said the council was not sure they could hold such a meeting. He said he was not sure if the state would give them enough time to hold a public meeting.

The council also heard from the community center committee. The committee is soliciting proposals from architects and building contractors for the center. The park board, who will manage the center if all goes well, will select four or five of the plans. They will then decide on one, Vigneault said today. [[In-content Ad]]