More than two dozen ash trees will be removed from the Shawano County Fairgrounds this spring.
The Shawano County Agriculture and Extension Committee approved paying Kopitzke Logging $20,500 to cut down the 27 trees, grind the stumps and remove all of the debris.
Scott Breitrick, president of the Shawano County Ag Society, which oversees the fairgrounds, told the committee earlier this month he received two quotes for the project.
The Briarton Logging Company bid included three options with one option to cut and remove logs, brush grind the stumps and remove the debris for $24,300.
The Kopitzke quote included two options with the second option to cut the trees, remove the stumps and clean away all debris for $20,500.
Breitrick noted that Kopitzke is a supporter of the Shawano Speedway.
Nick Hesse, the county’s facilities maintenance director, said he also talked with Big Joe’s Services in Clintonville, which has done other work with the county. That quote did not include the stump removal, as Hesse was under the impression Breitrick and others would be doing that work.
“John’s (Kopitzke) $20,500 will do everything,” Hesse said. “The guy that I use around here is 16-ish on the high end. That’s with cleanup and everything, not doing stumps.”
However, Hesse said that knowing what Big Joe’s Services charges for stump removal, he said the total price would be similar to Kopitzke’s price.
Supervisor Randy Young asked abut plans for Komatsu Timber Pro to remove trees and stumps at no cost to demonstrate their equipment.
“They will not return my phone calls,” Breitrick said. “I’ve called him 10 times. I left messages. He won’t even call me back and say they won’t do it.”
The next day, Hesse told the public property committee Timber Pro had such a backlog of orders, they did not have any equipment to use in a demonstration.
The tree removal will be funded through the designated maintenance account, which is funded with rental income from the county farm.
Trees may be replanted after the 2026 Shawano County Fair, and officials will investigate whether any grant money is available to help pay for that cost.
