The Shade Tree Board shall organize within 60 days after the
appointment of its total membership for the remainder of the then
calendar year, and thereafter annually by the election of one of its
members as Chairman and the appointment of a Secretary, who need not
be a member. The members of the Board and the Secretary shall serve
without compensation.
Any vacancy occurring by reason of death, resignation or removal
of any member of the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term
by the Mayor of the Borough of Edgewater.
The scope and responsibilities of the Shade Tree Board shall
be as follows:
A. To prepare programs and plans for consideration by the governing
body with respect to the purchase, planting, care, rearing, trimming,
preserving and control of the shade and ornamental trees of the Borough.
B. To meet with the governing body upon its request for discussion of
programs and recommendations.
C. To consult regularly with the governing body concerning the shade
tree program of the Borough.
D. To encourage arboriculture.
The Shade Tree Board shall have the power to make contracts
and incur debts, but shall not have the power to adopt ordinances.
The Shade Tree Board, in making contracts or expenditures, shall not
exceed the amount appropriated for such purpose by the governing body.
The Mayor and Council shall have the power to:
A. Regulate and control the use of the grounds surrounding the shade
and ornamental trees and shrubbery on public land, so far as may be
necessary for their proper growth, care and protection.
B. Move or require the removal of any tree or part thereof dangerous
to public safety.
C. Administer treatment to or remove any tree situate 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, with the consent of
the owner thereof, provided the suspected condition is first confirmed
by a certificate of the Department of Agriculture.
The Mayor and Council shall annually appropriate such sum as
it may deem necessary for the purchase of trees and shrubbery, the
purchase of necessary equipment and materials and for the cost of
services of the promotion of the work of the Shade Tree Board.
A member of the Council shall be charged with the duty of overseeing
the program of work undertaken by the Mayor and Council pursuant to
this article. Said member shall make monthly reports to the Borough
governing body on the work undertaken pursuant to the program provided
for herein.
Nothing contained in this article shall be held to take away
or diminish any of the powers or authority of the Mayor and Council
over the trees or shrubbery in the Borough of Edgewater within its
jurisdiction, or to give any other commission or board any power or
authority with respect to such trees or shrubbery.