By David MacDonald
david@peicanada.com

In December the Town of Montague approved an untendered contract worth almost $6,000 to a Montague arborist to do work on some trees, as listed on the town’s monthly general accounts payable invoice.
Environmental Tree Service was paid $5,932.50 to prune back branches that had grown over streetlights on MacDonald Avenue, Gaul Road and John Beer Drive.
At Monday night's council meeting Deputy Mayor David Mabon asked why such a large contract had not been tendered.
The town does not have to tender for services valued at less than $100,000, though a new procurement procedure as part of the Ramsay recommendations is in the works.
CAO Andy Daggett said the arborist has all the necessary equipment, training and insurance, which isn’t common. He also said the company had done good quality work for the town in the past when other companies were unavailable.