New look for County’s Courthouse

The new year has brough a new look for the Braxton County Courthouse. Trees, believed to be well over 100 years old, were removed just before the new year. Planning for the move has been in the works for some time after the trees were identified as deteriorating when they were professionally trimmed approximately four years ago.
The move was criticized by some, but the County Commission, on the advice of experts who also said the trees couldn’t be saved, believed they were presenting a hazard to the general public and were forced to proceed with the removal. They advertised for a bonded firm to remove the trees and stumps but only received two bids. The contract was awarded to Pro V Tree of Preston County, owned by Tim and Shane Osborne.
The Commission awarded the contract in the amount of $6,600 to Pro V Tree for the removal of the three trees. Two were in front of the Courthouse with the third being located beside the old jail. “That tree was very close to the building, and we have been told it presented a potential danger to the foundation. So, we had it removed as well,” explained Lisa Godwin, Commission President.
As employees and patrons returned for the new year a cleaner brighter workplace was visible. “We were pleasantly surprised at the way the Courthouse looked without the trees,” said Godwin. “We are also pleased with the quality of the work the Osborne brothers and their team preformed.”
President Godwin said that a decision whether to replant the trees will be made at a later date.