Photo Provided St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman plants a crabapple tree at the St. Clairsville Bike Trail in honor of Arbor Day.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Mayor Kathryn Thalman declared Dec.1 Arbor Day in the city of St. Clairsville during city council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Monday evening.

“We’ve been very blessed to be designated as a tree city every year, and it’s an important parameter. I mean, we know what a hot summer we had and trees help to make shade, keep our electric bills down, and they just add so much to the ambience of our area. It’s beautiful,” Thalman said.

She added that trees can reduce erosion of topsoil by wind or water and provide habitat for various wildlife.

Each year the city plants a tree at the city’s bike trail in honor of Arbor Day and this year it planted a crabapple tree.

Thalman said that she believes planting a tree in honor of the day is very important and is something she looks forward to each year.

“It just looks so nice. All of the trees in our area are beautiful, and I like to see them all,” Thalman said.

She added that she declared Dec. 1 as Arbor Day in the city because December is a time when many residents are decorating their Christmas tree regardless if those trees are real or artificial.

“It comes at a very wonderful time. We celebrate Christmas with a tree, whether it be artificial or real, and this makes us appreciate what God has given us with trees,” Thalman said. “Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.”

She added that trees provide a source of joy and spiritual renewal.

Council member Lucien Murzyn asked Thalman if in the future when the city plants a tree for Arbor Day if it could dedicate it to a different person who served the community who has died.

He added that it would be nice if a small plaque could be added in front of the tree that would be dedicated to the individual.

“That’s a tremendous idea,” Thalman replied to Murzyn.

She then applauded the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce for the successful Light Up Night this past Saturday.

Council member Audrey Brahler, owner of Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen & Bar, Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffe, and Sweets By Sarah, said that she believes this year’s event was the most attended one yet.

She added that Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen & Bar had a line out the door and onto the sidewalk for the entire event.

“I heard 2,500 to 3,000 people attended, I don’t know where that estimate came from but that’s a lot of people to come into our little city,” Thalman said.

For the past several meetings, council has been looking into options into hiring an outside company to professionally record its meetings.

Council member Kristi Lipscomb said that she recently reached out to a videographer named Mason Goddard who would charge the city $900 a month to record audio and video, store, and upload the meetings online. He would charge an additional $250 for any additional special meeting council would need to have.

Council president Jim Velas said that he believes it would be a good idea to have Goddard attend the next council meeting on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

“It’s up to council however they want to do it or whatever they want to spend or not spend,” Velas said. “I think it might be a good idea for him to come in and explain it to council and get a price figure and then let council decide if that’s what it wants to do. That’s just my opinion.”

Lipscomb agreed to reach out to Goddard to see if he would be able to come and speak to council about his pricing.