SMITHFIELD – Between city proclamations, requests concerning land from residents and discussion of fire engines, Mayor Darrell Simmons kept busy during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

May 14 has officially been declared as Arbor Day in Smithfield.

“We urge all citizens to care for trees, woodlands and forestry programs,” said Simmons. “This is a day to celebrate planting, growing and preserving trees in our community. They bring so much value to our city and help keep Smithfield beautiful.”

In honor of Arbor Day, Boy Scout troops from Smithfield will plant trees at Sunset Park at 5:30. The national recognition for Arbor Day is actually the 28th of April but each city may proclaim it when they choose. All residents are welcome to support and help with the planting alongside the scouts.

The council also heard more pressing matters.

Neil Sessions, of Smithfield, addressed the council concerning problems with snow removal in the cul-de-sac at 280 S. 789 East where he resides. The end of it features a “doughnut” or circular patch of land in the middle of the street. City officials said the doughnut was designed for snow storage during the winter. But with heavy snow storms and the congestion of multiple cars, these can be problematic areas for residents needing access.

“I come before you today to seek permission to remove the doughnut on our street,” stated Sessions. “I know it wouldn’t be cheap but it is causing lots of problems for my wife and me to get out of our driveway when snow is piled really high in front of our house.”

Such a request could be very expensive. The doughnuts are made of cement and rock to help keep maintenance costs low. Sessions felt strongly that removing this structure would allow for more room for snow storage and easier travel paths in the winter.

He was even willing to take matters into his own hands. “I am in construction and am fairly savvy with these kinds of things. With help from the city financially, we could get it taken care of and prevent further damage to the curbs from the snow plows.”

The council agreed to take Sessions’ request into consideration and invited him back to the next council meeting on May 8 to revisit the issue.

Mayor Simmons opened a discussion for methods of financing a new fire truck, which he said Smithfield is in desperate need of. The current fire engine is from 1964 and is less than reliable.

Councilman Dennis Watkins proposed a plan involving the future library budget and devised other ways for financing to be available. According to Watkins, Cache County is willing to help pay $150,000 of the cost of the engine to match Smithfield’s $150,000 available. This item will be discussed at a later date among the council.

In other business:

• Gary Taylor, agent for Pitcher Family Farms LLC, requested for a Minor subdivision of property at 700 South 250 East in Smithfield. The request was approved.
• Duane Williams, agent for David Lillywhite, requested for approval of a record survey for a two lot minor subdivision (1.22 acres) at 150 West 200 South. This was also approved.
• Mayor Simmons signed an inter-local agreement with Cache County for road repairs and weed spraying.

City council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the city building, 96 S. Main.

Published in cooperation with the Hard News Cafe. Original story is here.