Long Beach hires firm to remove dead trees

Long Beach has hired a Bay Shore firm to remove trees around the city that died because of superstorm Sandy.

The city will pay Trees R Us of Bay Shore $43,875 to cut dead trees, remove debris and grind the stumps, the city council decided on Nov. 10. The council awarded the contract, on which four other firms also bid, with a unanimous vote.

“As a result of superstorm Sandy, numerous trees throughout the city suffered salt water inundation and died as a result of this exposure, therefore requiring the need for them to be removed,” said a resolution approved by the city council.

Trees R Us was the lowest responsible bidder for the contract, city officials said.

The city council also unanimously approved a contract to buy 180,000 grass plugs to maintain the structural integrity of its beach dunes. The plugs will be purchased from Bissett Nursery Corporation of Holtsville at a cost of $54,000, the council voted.