Montana City Pays $23K for Tree Damage Caused by Heavy Snow

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Heavy snow in Montana has cost a city tens of thousands of dollars in cleanup work after widespread tree damage.

Great Falls Tribune reported Monday that a record-setting September snowstorm brought more than 19 inches of snow to Great Falls causing trees to bend and break.

City officials say the 16-day cleanup effort cost more than $23,000 after eight forestry workers accumulated 130 hours in overtime on top of 557 regular hours.

Foresters say that doesn’t include hours and costs of Park and Recreation Division workers who cleaned up trees in city parks and a city-hired contractor who worked 13.5 hours.

Foresters say cleanup of downed branches and the trimming of damaged limbs are expected to wrap up Monday, the same day foresters are scheduled to begin leaf pickup.

___

Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com