[Ord. of 8-7-2000]
There is hereby created the position of Town arborist, who shall
act under the direction and control of the Town Manager. The Town
Manager shall employ or contract for the services of the Town arborist.
(a) Qualifications. Where possible the Town arborist shall be a person
trained in arboriculture or forestry, with appropriate certification
in the particular field or fields concerned, failing which the Town
Manager may employ or enter into a contract with a person who has
at least three years experience in municipal tree work or its equivalent
and possesses sufficient administrative and management skills to perform
the duties specified in this ordinance. If the person appointed is
not so certified, the Town Manager shall specify a six month probationary
period within which the person must, as a condition of employment,
obtain an arborist certification by the International Society of Arboriculture
or comparable certification.
(b) Duties. The Town arborist shall; in coordination with the Town's
public works or other departments, or private contractors when approved
by the Town Manager, plant, maintain and otherwise care for, or if
necessary remove, any public tree or shrub. The responsibilities of
the Town arborist shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Advising the Town Manager, Town Council and the Town's public
works and other departments on all matters pertinent to public trees;
and, reviewing, and supervising all municipal tree care operations
and site plan work involving public trees.
(2) Attending each meeting of the tree commission and informing it in
advance about all pending and proposed municipal tree care operations
and site plan work involving public trees in sufficient time for the
tree commission to take any action permitted or required under the
provisions of this article.
(3) Under the supervision of the Town Manager, applying for federal, state or private grants, funding or other assistance to accomplish the purposes and intent set forth in sec.
78-2 of this article.
(4) Developing, implementing and maintaining an urban forestry management
program which provides for annual public tree planting and establishes
care, maintenance and replacement standards and procedures for public
trees. Reducing such program to writing in the form of a comprehensive
tree management plan for review by the tree commission and the Town
Council.
(5) Preparing annually for review by the Town public works department
and tree commission, a municipal tree care budget together with an
annual report on the work of the Town arborist including (but not
limited to) all municipal tree care operations and site plan work
involving public trees and an evaluation of the progress made in meeting
the goals of this ordinance.
(6) In cooperation with the Town Manager and tree commission, promoting,
by conducting public seminars, courses, lectures, workshops, continuing
education and other educational programs, public appreciation for
the Town's urban forest and importance of the standards and procedures
established in this article.
(7) When and as requested by the Town Manager and tree commission, providing
private citizens with advice regarding the care and maintenance of
their trees. Supporting other groups interested in urban forestry.
(8) Reporting directly to the Town Manager on any or all municipal tree
operations and site plan work involving public trees, as the Town
Manager may from time to time direct, and taking such other action
as shall be needed to accomplish the purposes of this ordinance.
(9) Coordinate, by meeting and consulting with appropriate public utility
personnel in advance, all public utility operations that might adversely
affect public trees.
[Ord. of 8-7-2000]
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the "tree
commission." The tree commission shall be composed of five voting
members appointed by the Town Council. In addition, the Town arborist
shall be a non-voting member. A quorum for the transaction of business
by the commission shall be at least three voting members.
(a) Qualifications and compensation. The five voting members of the tree
commission shall be persons who have expressed interest in the care
and preservation of the Town's urban forest. All of the members
of the tree commission shall serve without compensation, but all necessary
expenses of the tree commission shall be paid by the Town pursuant
to appropriate action by the Town Council.
(b) Terms of office. The five voting members appointed by the Town Council
shall be appointed for three year staggered terms and serve until
their respective successors are appointed. Of the members initially
appointed one shall serve for one year, two shall serve for two years,
and two shall serve for three years. Thereafter, all members shall
serve three year terms. Vacancies caused by death, resignation or
otherwise shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
original appointments are made. The Mayor shall have the discretion
to appoint members to serve consecutive terms and also to remove them
for habitual failure to attend meetings. Members may serve any number
of terms but not more than two terms consecutively.
(c) Duties of tree commission. The duties of the tree commission shall
be as follows:
(1) Within a reasonable time after appointment, conduct an organizational
meeting to elect a chairman, vice-chairman and standing committee
chairs as needed, and provide for the adoption of rules and procedures
for holding public meetings. The Town arborist shall act as secretary
and conduct the daily affairs of the tree commission. The secretary
shall cause a record to be kept of all proceedings, resolutions, findings
and actions taken by the tree commission. The commission's records
shall be filed with the Town Clerk.
(2) To provide regular meetings at least once each month and such special
meetings as the tree commission deems necessary, each open to the
public; to support the efforts of other groups interested in urban
forestry: to sponsor tree planting projects and the observance of
National Arbor Day; and, to conduct seminars, workshops and other
public education programs.
(3) To assist the Town arborist with the formulation and revision of
the comprehensive tree management plan, as well as a yearly evaluation
of progress toward meeting the goals set in this section.
(4) To assist the Town arborist in applying for federal, state or private
grants, funding or other assistance.
(5) With the assistance of the Town arborist, to review each pending
and proposed municipal tree care operation and site plan work involving
trees. Any differences of opinion about what protective procedures
should be followed in any such matter shall be resolved by majority
vote at a meeting of the commission.
(6) To provide by its public meetings a forum in which interested persons
shall have the opportunity to submit for discussion their questions
and opinions regarding the Town's tree management.
[Ord. of 8-7-2000]
With the advice and participation of the tree commission, the
Town arborist is hereby authorized and directed to formulate, revise
and administer a comprehensive tree management plan to govern the
planting, maintenance and replacement of trees planted in public areas.
The comprehensive tree management plan shall make provision for educating
the public about trees and include (but not be limited to) an inventory
of tree resources, standard planting, maintenance, replacement and
tree cover specifications and needed maintenance work complete with
cost and time schedules.