This chapter shall be known as the "Tree Law of the City of
Watervliet."
The Council of the City of Watervliet has determined that it
is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Watervliet
to promote and protect their health, safety and welfare to adopt a
tree local law. The Council of the City of Watervliet recognizes the
role that trees play in the City ecosystem and that they contribute
to the quality of air, reduce noise and visual pollution, help to
moderate climatic extremes and conserve energy, and the Council further
recognizes the role trees play in enhancing property values and the
general quality of life in the City. In order to establish a responsible
program for planting, maintenance, husbandry or removal of trees or
shrubs in the City, the Council finds it is necessary to establish
a Tree Committee and to adopt this chapter to provide an orderly framework
to maximize the benefits afforded by trees within the City.
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter may contain such
conditions as the Building Department deems necessary to ensure compliance
with the legislative intent of this chapter.
A permit must be adequately displayed so that it is visible
from the nearest public street until such time as the authorized work
has ended and a final inspection has been conducted by the Building
Department.
The person, firm, entity, company, corporation or utility so
issued a permit by the Building Department under this chapter shall,
prior to performing any work, obtain and provide to the City the following
certificates of insurance naming the City of Watervliet as additional
insured: certificate of liability insurance, certificate of New York
State workers' compensation insurance, and certificate of New York
State disability benefits insurance; and shall protect, indemnify
and hold harmless the City of Watervliet from any and all claims that
may arise or that may be made for damage, loss, injury or death results
from the acts of said person, firm, entity company, corporation or
utility.
Unless otherwise provided, a violation of any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not to
exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 15 days, or both. Each day
during or on which a violation of this chapter shall occur shall be
deemed a separate and distinct offense.