It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, delay, obstruct
or interfere with the Highway Superintendent or any of his agents
or employees while engaging in the maintenance or removal of any street
trees, park trees or trees on private property, as authorized in this
Chapter.
Every violation by any person, firm, partnership, association
or corporation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed
to be an offense against this chapter, and, upon conviction therefore,
shall be subject to a fine of a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00)
but not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or imprisonment
not to exceed fifteen (15) days, or both. The removal of each tree
shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the aforementioned
penalties, the court having jurisdiction may impose a civil penalty
for the removal or destruction of any tree on private property or
street or park tree equal to its value, not to exceed two thousand
five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) per tree.
If any trees are unlawfully cut down, cleared, killed or otherwise
destroyed by any person(s), firm(s), association(s) or corporation(s)
in connection with or preparatory to any development, improvement
or change of use or proposed rezoning, for which a permit or permission
is required by the Town, then, in addition to any other fine or penalty
provided for in this chapter or elsewhere, said person(s), firm(s),
association(s) or corporation(s) shall not be granted such permit
or permission by the Town unless and until a remedial tree planting
plan for the subject premises is accepted and approved by the Town
Division of Forestry and Planning Board as part of the coordinated
review process.
