[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]
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 make annual reports to the mayor
and council. 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 sections 22-15 and 22-16, respectively,
below; and
(l)
Such additional functions as required by this chapter or within the
law as may be delegated to it.
[Ord. No. 2016-34]
No person shall prevent, delay or interfere with any lawful
work undertaken by the shade tree commission or its authorized agent.
