Tree cutting focus shifts to West Rosebud Road

County officials and Fishtail residents came to an agreement Tuesday afternoon regarding the cutting of an estimated 100 trees on Fiddler Creek Road late last year in the name of maintenance and safety.
They agreed to disagree on exactly what was said by the county when upset residents began to ask questions about what has been characterized as clear-cutting sections of the road that substantially altered the scenic landscape.
Perhaps more importantly the two sides shifted their focus to tree-cutting planned for the West Rosebud Road.

Rocky Start
Stillwater County Commissioner Jerry Dell opened the meeting with the six residents by saying “you’re the ones who requested this meeting.”
Each resident then gave a short statement regarding their concerns about how the Fiddler Creek Road cutting was conducted, why it was done, the alleged hostile response on the behalf of the county and ongoing concerns. The safety factor was a common theme. County Road & Bridge Superintendent Mark Schreiner has previously explained that tree branches cast shadows on roadways, preventing ice melt in the winter. Visibility is another factor cited by the county.
But resident Theresa Burkhart said the cutting has created the opposite.
“I don’t see it any safer. In fact I see it’s worse,” said Burkhart who lives on South Fiddler Creek Road and favors spending money on grading gravel roads in the name of safety.
Her husband, Dan Burkhart, expressed concern about how much it was costing to cut and dispose of the trees. Dell maintained that no extra money was spent on the tree cutting.
Tom and Karen Heyneman, who live on the West Rosebud Road, spoke of trying to work together to prevent future conflict.
Being heard on the subject and allowing the public to have some input was something with which all the attendees took issue, reminding the commissioners of the petition which contains more than 50 names of residents concerned about the cutting and lack of information being shared.
There was early heated discussion and raised voices that more than once prompted the stoppage of the meeting and reminder to not talk over each other.

West Rosebud Road
With most of the cutting down on Fiddler Creek Road, attention turned to the issue of cutting on the West Rosebud Road, which Schreiner said could begin as early as late this week. Karen Heyneman asked the commissioners if a partnership of sorts was possible in order to let people weigh in on the issue before a repeat of Fiddler Creek Road occurs.
“Just a conversation saying ‘This is our plan.’ Is that possible?” asked Heyneman.
“Haven’t we just done that?” said Dell, referring to earlier conversation in the meeting regarding the different right-of-way on that particular road and the county’s plan to cut to the bottom of the barrow ditch.
“So the input is over?” responded Heyneman.
“No,” answered both Dell and Davey.
Heyneman earlier acknowledged that the county must be able to accomplish its work and taxpayers must be able to be part of that process.
Heyneman’s final request was another meeting or “conversation” before any cutting occurred on the West Rosebud Road to allow residents to take new information presented at the meeting, apply it to the West Rosebud Road and see if that created concerns. That new information included a 120-foot right-of-way (60 for the county and 60 for the state) and plans to cut to the bottom of barrow ditches.
“My ears are always open,” said Davey, adding that she will always listen but may not agree.
In response to questions about the cost of cutting, Davey said an estimate could be put together.