[HISTORY: Adopted by the Governing Body of the Town/Village
of East Rochester 3-11-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter is enacted to create a Tree Committee for the Town/Village
of East Rochester (the "Town/Village") to achieve the following purposes:
A.
Provide recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Department and
Department of Public Works, who are responsible for management and
care of the Town/Village's trees, parks and open spaces.
B.
Promote efficient and cost-effective management of the Town/Village's
community forest.
C.
Work to establish and maintain the maximum sustainable tree cover,
including age and species, in order to protect and enhance the environment
and the character of the Town/Village.
D.
Foster community support through regular educational outreach, and
encourage good citizen tree management practices through knowledge
sharing.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by
the Municipal Home Rule Law and shall supersede any provision of state
law which is inconsistent herewith.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A trained specialist certified by the International Society
of Arboriculture ("ISA") or one of its chapters or other nationally
recognized arboricultural organizations with expertise in tree management.
Includes land designated as a park pursuant to New York State
statutes as well as areas such as playgrounds, pools or other recreational
facilities within the Town/Village.
Includes all grounds owned, leased or controlled by the Town/Village.
Any woody plant, located on municipal property or within
the municipal right-of-way, having at least one well-defined trunk
and at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter measured at a height of
six inches above the natural grade and having a clearly defined crown.
A large tree growing to over 40 feet in height at maturity,
usually deciduous, that is planted to provide canopy cover shade.
A thoroughfare which has been placed and designated on the
Official Map as a street and which affords the principal means of
access to abutting property.
Any tree, shrub, bush or other woody vegetation on land lying
between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues or roads,
such as the municipal right-of-way.
A program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation
in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association
of State Foresters which gives recognition to communities for providing
a basic level of human and financial resources to manage their community
forests.
Includes, but is not limited to, pruning, shaping, thinning,
cabling, stump removal, root pruning, topping, fertilizing, removing,
planting and spraying for insect and disease control, of a tree.
A.
Membership. The Tree Committee shall consist of five members, residents
of the Town/Village of East Rochester, who shall be appointed by the
Mayor with the approval of the Board of Trustees, plus ex-officio
members consisting of a Trustee liaison, and a representative from
the Department of Public Works.
B.
Term of office; vacancies; compensation. The terms of the five persons
to be appointed by the Mayor shall be three years, except that the
terms of three of the members appointed to the first Committee shall
be only two years, and the terms of the two members of the first Committee
shall be the one year. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during
the term of any member, his successor shall be appointed for the unexpired
portion of the term. Members of the Committee shall serve without
compensation.
The responsibilities of the Tree Committee shall be as follows:
A.
Accountability.
(1)
The Tree Committee shall meet publicly on a quarterly basis to discuss
matters related to the proper growth and maintenance of trees within
the Town/Village limits.
(2)
The Tree Committee shall submit an annual report of its actions and
activities to the Town/Village Board of Trustees.
(3)
The Tree Committee shall advise and assist with the annual renewal
of the Arbor Day Foundation Tree City designation and advise and coordinate
the submission of future Urban Forestry Grant applications.
B.
Review and make recommendation for new tree planting. The Tree Committee
shall advise other boards and departments regarding the location of
planting of new trees on municipally owned land.
C.
Environmental education and awareness. The Tree Committee shall coordinate
and promote the Town/Village's annual Arbor Day celebration and
activities; support local schools, libraries and community centers
in offering environmental education programs and programing relating
to tree planting and preservation.
D.
Best management practices for tree care and maintenance.
(1)
The Tree Committee shall advise on the species and variety of trees
to be planted, including the size, height and width of the trees,
and expected maximum growth.
(2)
The Committee will select and consult with an arborist to conduct
Town/Village-wide tree inventories, advise on tree management plans,
tree planting, maintenance and education programming.
