Wilmington City Council discusses tree trimming, gas emission control during agenda briefing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington City Council is looking to make sure trees are looking their best and staying healthy while city vehicles could switch gears.

Mayor Bill Saffo says canopy trees and historic trees are important to the downtown area and the Tree Commission is concerned with the trees growing out instead of up. The city is now looking at the options to maintain the trees and what it will cost to have the proper maintenance done.

As the city continues to focus on a cleaner environment, it’s also looking to change how some city vehicles get around.

City vehicles, like trash trucks, rely on diesel fuel. But now, the city wants to evaluate what it will take to convert trucks to natural gas. They say they are looking at Wave Transit as an example for shifting to natural gas. It could cost more than $3,000,000, however it would save on fuel costs and improve emissions.