[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake 3-11-1963 by Ord. No. 208; amended in its entirety 7-16-2007 by Ord. No. 07-08 (Ch. 53 of the 1985 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Administration of government — See Ch. 5.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 326.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 332.
Trees — See Ch. 355.
Zoning — See Ch. 380.
There is hereby established and created in and for the Borough of Woodcliff Lake a Shade Tree Committee which shall be known as the "Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake."
Advising the governing body on all matters concerning the regulation, planting, removal, care and control of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery upon and in the streets, highways, public places and parkways shall be exercised by and be under the authority of the Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake.
The Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake shall consist of no less than five members who shall be residents of the Borough and who shall serve without salary.
The Chairman and all members of the Shade Tree Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall serve for one-year terms. All existing members of the entity commonly known as the "Shade Tree Commission" or "Shade Tree Committee" shall be members of the entity organized hereunder.
The Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake shall have the authority to offer advice to the governing body as to:
A. 
The regulation, planting, removal and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located or which may hereafter be planted in any public highway, park or parkway of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake, including the planting, trimming, spraying, care and protection thereof.
B. 
The ground surrounding such trees and shrubbery, so far as may be necessary for their proper growth, care and protection.
C. 
The removal of any tree or part thereof dangerous to the public safety.
D. 
Recommend that trees are necessary in particular areas and, with the consent of the Mayor and Council, that the cost of planting such trees shall be borne by the Borough.
E. 
Encourage arboriculture.
F. 
Suggest the creation, alteration, amendment or repeal of any and all rules and regulations necessary or proper for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
G. 
Partner with the appropriate experts and advise the governing body as to the administration of treatment to, or the removal of any tree situated upon private property which is believed to harbor a disease or insects readily communicable to neighboring healthy trees in the care of the municipality and enter upon private property for that purpose.
[Amended 8-30-2016 by Ord. No. 16-13]
H. 
Review and evaluate the removal of heritage trees on any property as pursuant to a request for heritage tree removal pursuant to Chapter 355, Article II, Tree Preservation, of the Code of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake.
I. 
Review proposed construction projects if referred to by the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment on:
(1) 
Single residential lot where review is mandated by ordinance.
(2) 
Small residential subdivision (up to six lots).
(3) 
Small commercial development.
(4) 
Small office development.
J. 
Planting and removal of street trees throughout Woodcliff Lake.
K. 
Arbor Day planting and ceremony.
L. 
Recommendation of shade tree species.
M. 
Control of street tree maintenance.
N. 
Advise as to the budget for street trees, maintenance and continuing education.
O. 
Review of applications, inspections, responses and related correspondence and meetings as required with an utility company representative.
P. 
Undertake continuing education as to trees.
Q. 
Embrace worthwhile tree-related programs.
Except as hereinafter provided, the initial cost of trees planted by the Borough at the recommendation of the Committee, the cost of planting them, the cost of posts, boxes or guards used for the protection thereof and the cost of removal of any trees dangerous to public safety shall be the responsibility of the Borough.
The Committee shall give reasonable notice of its intention to remove, or cause the removal of a tree or part of a tree dangerous to public safety, unless public safety requires immediate removal, in which case no notice shall be necessary.
A. 
Appeals to the Mayor and Council may be taken by any person aggrieved or affected by any decision for the Shade Tree Committee. Such appeal shall be taken within 10 days by filing with the Shade Tree Committee and the Mayor and Council a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof.
B. 
If the appeal is filed 10 days prior, the Mayor and Council shall hear said appeal at its next regular meeting, with notice to the Committee.
C. 
In the powers conferred upon it, the Mayor and Council may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from and make such order, requirement, decision or determination as ought to be made, and to that end have all the powers of the Shade Tree Committee.
A. 
During the month of December in each year, the Shade Tree Committee shall certify to the governing body of the municipality the estimated sum necessary for the proper conduct of its work during the ensuing fiscal year.
B. 
The Mayor and Council shall annually appropriate such sum as the Mayor and Council may deem necessary for said purposes.
[Amended 8-30-2016 by Ord. No. 16-13]
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to make the Committee or any member thereof responsible for the death or injury of any person or for any injury to any property or highway, tree or shrub.
[Amended 8-30-2016 by Ord. No. 16-13]
A. 
All shade trees required of developers as a condition for final approval of a subdivision shall be planted pursuant to the requirements of the Shade Tree Committee by the developer, or its agents, during regular spring and fall programs, and the cost of the same shall be charged to said developers in an amount and in the manner determined by the Shade Tree Committee.
B. 
The tree planting contractor shall supply and plant the trees in accordance with the specifications provided by the Shade Tree Committee. The developer shall provide a two-year guarantee of all trees and workmanship to the Borough of Woodcliff Lake. The Shade Tree Committee shall determine the acceptance date for all tree planting to start and final acceptance.