It is the intent of this Bylaw to sustain environmental health,
enhance economic wellbeing and quality of life for the citizens of
the Town of Southborough. Public trees make an important contribution
to the character and heritage of Southborough's neighborhoods. This
Bylaw establishes policy for ensuring the health and longevity of
the Town's existing and future trees, and is enacted in furtherance
of the Town Meeting votes of May 29, 1975, on Article 63, and May
19, 1976, on Article 37.
The Town follows the provisions of Massachusetts General Law
Chapter 87 (M.G.L. c. 87), Shade Trees, to the extent applicable.
This Bylaw shall be consistent with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 40,
§ 15C, entitled "Scenic Road Designations; Improvements;
Fines," as amended.
The care and management of public trees shall be the responsibility
of the Tree Warden, or that official's designee. The Tree Warden is
responsible for planting, maintaining and removing trees from streets,
parks and other designated public places in accordance with M.G.L.
c. 87, § 2.
It shall be the policy of the Town of Southborough to encourage
the conservation of public shade trees (as defined in M.G.L. c. 87
§ 1) and to establish a planned program of planting trees
as defined in MGL c.87, § 7. The Tree Warden shall determine
the type and size of the tree with the goal to have a native public
shade tree planted in a location at the discretion of the Tree Warden.