[Added 9-6-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022]
This article is enacted to designate the Town's Department
of Public Works as the official Tree Department of the Town of Pittsford
for the purpose of the Town's application for recognition as
an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA and for the following purposes:
A.
Clarify that the Public Works Department is responsible for management
and care of the Town's community trees, through its Parks and
Highway Departments.
B.
Continue efficient and cost-effective management of the Town's
community trees.
C.
Continue the planting, maintenance, and preservation of the Town's
community trees in order to protect and enhance the environment and
character of the Town.
D.
Continue the practice of consulting with professional arborists from
time to time when necessary or desirable.
E.
In conjunction with the Town's Communications Department, foster
community support through educational outreach, and encourage good
citizen tree management practices through knowledge sharing.
This article is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by
the Municipal Home Rule Law and shall supersede any provision of state
law which is inconsistent herewith.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A tree on Town-owned land or within the right-of-way of a
Town public street.
The Town-owned land bordering a Town public street used for
sidewalks, edge stone, planting spaces, and/or utility transmission.
A living perennial, woody plant, including all of its parts,
whose trunk is greater than three inches in diameter at a height of
four feet above the ground and whose full height at maturity would
reach a minimum of 12 feet.
The responsibilities of the Tree Department shall be as follows:
A.
Tree City recognition and grant applications. In conjunction with
the Town's Chief of Staff and its Communications Director, the
Commissioner of Public Works shall advise and assist with the designation
and annual renewal of the Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA recognition
and advise and coordinate the submission of future Urban Forestry
Grant applications.
B.
Community tree maintenance. The Tree Department will be responsible
for the planting, maintenance, and removal of community trees.
C.
Environmental education and awareness. Together with the Town's
Chief of Staff and the Communications Director, the Tree Department
will coordinate and promote the Town's annual Arbor Day celebration
and activities. As the Department's time and resources allow,
it may also support local schools, libraries, and community centers
in offering environmental education programs and programing relating
to tree planting and preservation.
D.
Best management practices for community tree care and maintenance.
(1)
The Tree Department will have supervision over the species and
variety of trees to be planted, including the size, height, and width
of the trees, and expected maximum growth.
(2)
The Tree Department will supervise the management and care of
the Town's community trees.
(3)
The Tree Department will have supervision over protecting and
controlling the spread of invasive species affecting the Town's
community trees and evaluating means to control such spread of invasive
species and to mitigate damage caused by it.
