A.
The shade
trees existing within the Borough of Westwood are of vital importance
to the public good due to their aesthetic and environmental benefits
and the economic value that they lend to property within the Borough
of Westwood as a consequence of their existence.
B.
The loss
of any shade tree within the Borough of Westwood is a loss to the
entire community and, as such, should be avoided except when removal
is necessary for reasons of safety, public necessity, or unavoidable
development.
A.
An Advisory
Committee consisting of five persons is hereby created to discharge
the duties hereinafter detailed with the goal of preserving the shade
trees in the Borough of Westwood.
B.
The
Committee shall be organized as follows:
(1)
There
shall be five seats on the Committee, numbered one through five.
(2)
The initial
appointments shall be for a term of years corresponding to the seat
number. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a five-year term.
(3)
Partial
year terms shall expire on December 31, to the end that all terms
shall always commence effective January 1 and expire on December 31
as years go by.
The duties of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee shall be as
follows:
A.
The
advising of the Mayor and Council, in writing, at least annually,
of such policies, practices, procedures, and actions that shall be
undertaken for the replacement and preservation of shade trees within
the municipality as part of the Borough's overall governmental philosophy.
B.
Developing
and implementing, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council,
procedures calculated to prevent the unnecessary damage or destruction
of trees located in the public rights-of-way or within public parks
throughout the Borough by utilizing Public Works crews, contractors,
or members of the general public.
C.
To
advise, through a liaison to be decided by the Mayor and Council,
the Public Works Department concerning the maintenance of shade trees
within the Borough and, in general, to be a resource for the Mayor
and Council in facilitating the various agents and employees of the
Borough in protecting and/or replacing such trees as presently exist.
D.
To
develop programs for the systematic replacement or addition of shade
trees, whether by public funds or private donations to the Borough.
E.
To
generally act as a clearing house and coordinating agency for any
and all matters affecting shade trees in the Borough of Westwood.
F.
Such
other duties as the Mayor and Council shall, from time to time by
resolution, entrust to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee in furtherance
of the aforementioned goals and objectives.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 21-4]
Members of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC), and designated
volunteers who have signed a participation agreement and waiver, may
plant trees as part of the Borough's shade tree replenishment program
if, and only if, the DPW Superintendent has marked the exact location
of the planting, and has deemed it a safe area for the volunteers
to plant the tree. Volunteers shall not plant any trees without the
expressed consent of the DPW Superintendent. The process shall be
as follows:
A.
STAC shall
identify a location in the right-of-way for planting a tree.
B.
STAC shall
obtain written property owner consent for tree site and planting,
which shall include a commitment to water and otherwise care for the
tree.
C.
STAC shall
mark the tree location with stake.
D.
STAC shall
notify the DPW Superintendent via email of the proposed tree location.
E.
The DPW
Superintendent shall review the location and any other related concerns
and shall approve via email.
F.
STAC shall
be responsible for calling 811 for utility markouts.
G.
STAC shall
coordinate the planting with the DPW Superintendent, who shall provide
the shade tree and tools for planting.
H.
STAC shall
provide care instructions specific to the tree species planted to
the property owner.
