Ramsey Resident - 2002 - November/December

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14 FIRST GRADE TREE PLANTING On a sunny, 60-degree Friday morning in October, two 1 st Grade classes met outside Ramsey Elementary School at the School Nature Area. First grade teachers Deb Tjostelson and Betty Ericl<son, and 44 students and two parents met with Bruce Bacon, City of Ramsey Environmental Specialist to plant 12 saplings, grown from DNR donated seedlings for 4 years by the PTA Environmental Committee. The teachers divided their classes into 10 teams, each team with a "digger", "tree & tube holder", "planter/ filler", and "waterer". Tools were divided up and the students went to work planting! Six Bur Oal<s and six "Liberty" American Elms, donated by Great River Energy, were planted in the raised bed area at the south end of the parlcing lot. Bruce tall<ed about how trees provide oxygen that we need to breathe while we return carbon dioxide to plants when we exhale. Half the students raised their hands when asl<ed if they ever helped plant a tree at home, and as many responded when asl<ed if anybody had been to the annual City of Ramsey Arbor Day Environmental Expo and Tree Sale. Next spring's Arbor Day event is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, 2003 at Ramsey Elementary School. F or more information about environmental programs within the City of Ramsey, please contact Bruce Bacon at 763- 433-9813 or bye-mail atbbacon@ci.ramsey.mn.us. I SNOWPLOWING F AQ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Q. The snowplow tore up the grass in front of my house. Who's responsible for repairing the damage in the spring? A. The City of Ramsey retains an easement on the edge of the road for snow storage and utility placement. This easement varies, depending on the development, but normally is 12' -15' from the edge of the road. When you call in to report sod damage, your name and address are recorded on a list. In the spring, city crews will go around and repair the turf damage with blacl< dirt and grass seed. We try to avoid damage, but it does happen. The weather, especially early and late in the season, has a great impact on the amount of damage that occurs. Un-frozen ground is not very forgiving and even the slightest touch of the plow causes damage to the surrounding turf. Stalcing the blvd. is a great help to drivers as it helps them to visualize the edge of the road. The drivers try their best, but it's not easy Imowing exactly where the edge of the road is at all times, especially at 3am in the middle ofa snow storm! Q. Why won't the city repair my sprinkler system or other improvements I've made in the ROW when they damage it plowing? A. The City retains ownership of the right-of-way, which in most cases is 12-15 feet from the edge of the road. This ROW is reserved for utilities and their equipment, snow storage, sidewall<s, etc. Any improvements made to the ROW by the homeowner are done so at their risl<. Q. Who do I call if I have a complaint or comment about snowplowing A. Call the City of Ramsey's main switchboard @ 763- 427 -1410, the receptionist will direct the call to the properpersonnel. During a snowfall the public worl<s staff will be out of the shop, so calling the public worl<s garage directly may not be the best way to get a response to your question. After 5 p.m. the answering machine will record the messages and city personnel will distribute them after 8 a.m. the following morning. The policy of the Public Worl<s department is to return all phone calls, or meet with residents if they so request. In three words I can SUln up everything I've learned about life. It goes on. - Robert Frost