SMETHPORT — In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Smethport Borough Council approved a request from the McKean County Historical Society to reserve Hamlin Lake Park for the second annual Arts on the Island on June 22 to 24, 2018.

According to Bart Barton, coordinator, who made the request, the 2017 event, which featured artisans, craft and food vendors, music, street dance and fireworks, “was very successful, and we hope to build on that.”

Barton also invited a representative of council to attend the planning session for the 2018 Arts on the Island at 5 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Old Jail Museum on West King Street, Smethport.

In other news, council heard from a couple who submitted a form to the Shade Tree Commission for removal of a large red oak tree, which is close to their home and is on borough right-of-way. It has caused damage to their personal car and house roof.                                                                                                                                                                    Part of the damage has been caused by acorns falling from the trees.

Members of the Shade Tree Commission visited the property and after investigating the situation, offered to have the borough trim the tree.

Councilman Jeff Tanner, who is also a Shade Tree Commission member, said that it has been the policy of the commission that when a tree doesn’t present a danger to the public, the property owner may remove it at their own expense. If the tree presents a danger, then the borough can remove it, Tanner said.

Tanner disagreed that the tree in question presents a danger, citing a study of trees that present a higher degree of danger.

During the discussion, Councilman Ryan Yingling said he “agrees with about 95 percent of what the Shade Tree Commission does,” but called this “a unique situation because trimming the tree wouldn’t solve the problem.”

Council then voted in favor of having the borough remove the tree and stump.

The property owners plan to plant a new tree.

In another vote, council approved 2018 minimum obligations for borough’s general employees’ pension plan and police pension plans with $43,400 and $5,503, respectively.

Council vice-president Brian Gustafson conducted the meeting.