[Ord. No. 2016-34]
(a) 
There is hereby established a Shade Tree Commission consisting of seven members and two alternates, designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." There shall also be one non-voting liaison appointed from the governing body. The Mayor, upon consultation with the Council, shall appoint the members and alternates. All members and alternates shall be Princeton residents. The term of office of the members shall be five years. The term for members of the initial commission shall begin on the date of their appointment and shall be as follows: one member shall be appointed for one year, one member shall be appointed for two years, one member shall be appointed for three years, two members shall be appointed for four years, and two members shall be appointed for five years. All subsequent appointments, except to fill vacancies, shall be for the full term of five years, to take effect on January 1. The commission shall annually elect its chairperson from among its members.
(b) 
Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2 shall serve during the absence or disqualification of any regular member or members. The term of each alternate member shall be five years commencing on January 1 of the year of appointment; provided, however, that in the event two alternate members are appointed, the initial term of Alternate No. 2 shall be four years and the initial term of Alternate No. 1 shall be five years. The terms of the initial alternate members appointed shall commence on the day of their appointment and shall expire on the fourth or fifth December 31 next ensuing after the date of their appointments, as the case may be. An alternate member may participate in discussion of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member.
[Ord. No. 2016-34; amended 12-22-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-19]
The Shade Tree Commission shall have the following general powers and duties:
(a) 
Policy making responsibility in the regulation, planting, care and control of trees and shrubs upon and in the streets, highways, public places, public right-of-ways and parks of the municipality. The Shade Tree Commission shall have responsibility for the regulation, planting, care and control of trees and shrubs upon and in state and county highways and county parks only to the extent authorized or required by law;
(b) 
Responsibility to consult and advise with the enforcement officer in all matters within its purview;
(c) 
All authority conferred by N.J.S.A. 40:64-1 et seq., to the extent applicable;
(d) 
Authority to review tree surveys, removal plans and planting plans submitted with land development applications referred to it by the Planning Board or Zoning Board. After its review the Commission may prepare a report of its findings and recommendations to be sent to the board of jurisdiction at least 14 days prior to that board's scheduled hearing of the development application;
(e) 
Authority to prepare criteria, standards, guidelines, and recommendations, including recommendations as to specific appropriations, for the use of funds collected in the Princeton Shade Tree Trust Reserve. The use of said funds shall be subject to the prior review and recommendation of the Shade Tree Commission;
(f) 
Authority to develop a list of sites throughout Princeton that require the replacement of trees or the addition of new trees, and regularly update the list to reflect the replacement or removal of trees;
(g) 
Authority to develop and maintain a recommended tree species list;
(h) 
Authority to develop and maintain an inventory of trees and shrubs upon and in the streets, highways, public places, public right-of-ways and parks of the municipality;
(i) 
Responsibility to develop and recommend tree removal standards for trees located on private property;
(j) 
Responsibility to make, keep, and preserve minutes and records of its meetings and activities, and to assist the enforcement officer in making annual reports to the Mayor and Council as provided in § T22-17 below. Copies of all minutes and records of its meetings and activities shall be filed with the Clerk;
(k) 
Responsibility to decide appeals and recommend informal resolution of complaints, as set forth in §§ T22-15 and T22-16, respectively, below; and
(l) 
Such additional functions as required by this chapter or within the law as may be delegated to it.