Michael Jeter from the Ellenville Streets Department reported to the Ellenville Village Trustees last week that new trees are being planted in good locations around the village. In some instances, they are going into places where trees have been absent for some time.

One particular place, though, brought up questions. The trees at the corner of Market and Center streets are locust trees and they have grown fairly large, causing their roots to lift the bricks around their enclosures. Removing them, however, would be a major job. Resident Victoria Messner had suggested that, instead, they should stay, since they are attractive and are doing very well. She thought that the enclosures should just be enlarged and turned into flower beds, giving that end of the block a look similar to that of the other end, which has the raised flower bed outside Arianna’s pizza restaurant. The board was supportive of that idea.

Coffee With Cops

Ellenville Police Captain Dan Waage, filling in for Chief Phil Mattracion, who is on vacation, reported that last month had been busy for the Ellenville Police, with 619 calls. He said the department was thinking about instituting some sit-down opportunities for the public to meet with police, have a cup of coffee and discuss concerns they might have, all part of “community policing.”

Speed Humps For Warren Street?

To deal with motorcycles and other vehicles racing up and down Warren Street the village is considering placing some “speed humps” on the street. These are regarded as safer than “speed bumps” and are about six feet long, raised above the rest of the road, made of recycled rubber and covered in asphalt. They generally reduce speeds to no more than 20 miles an hour and often less.

The village will check with its insurance carriers that no liability will attach to the village from use of speed humps. Trustee T.J. Briggs suggested the village advertise that they will be put in place to avoid surprising motorists.