In recognition of the environment, health, and aesthetic benefits
of its community forest, this ordinance establishes the policies,
regulations, and standards pursuant to the planting, maintenance,
protection, preservation, removal, and replacement of trees within
the Town of Geddes. Publicly managed streets and park trees are increasingly
recognized as an important community resource. They provide habitat
for wildlife, enhance aesthetics and property values, improve air
quality, reduce stormwater runoff, reduce energy use, and reduce the
urban heat island effect. A healthy and sustainable community forest
supports the design and environmental goals of the Town of Geddes'
Comprehensive Plan Environmental Policy Statement and Recommendations
(page 27-28 of the Comprehensive Plan).
A. Provide the health and maintenance of Town trees in healthy and nonhazardous
condition through good arboricultural practices.
B. Establish and maintain appropriate diversity in tree species and
age classes in order to provide a stable and sustainable community
forest.
C. Encourage the planting of a new tree for any tree that is removed.
D. Promote the planting of private trees through programming and education.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
COMMUNITY FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN
A set of guidelines duly adopted by the Town and used to
guide tree selection, placement, maintenance, removal and replacement
to achieve a desired level of quality for the physical environment.
NATIVE TREE
A tree that is indigenous within the northeast United States
of America.
PRIVATE TREES
Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation located
on a homeowner's property.
STREET
A highway, road, avenue, lane, alley, terrace, drive, culvert,
embankment to which the public has a right to use.
STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY
The area within the designated right-of-way lines of a street,
road or lane within the Town. Said right-of-way lines are delineated
and/or defined by the Town of Geddes and vary throughout the Town
depending on the width of the road.
TOWN
The Town of Geddes, and any of its committees and/or departments,
but shall exclude any geographic reference except for that portion
of the Town lying wholly outside the borders of the Village of Solvay.
TOWN TREES
Trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on
land lying within the easement or right-of-way. Town trees also include
any trees within the boundaries of Town parks and any other land that
the Town owns.
UTILITIES
Those entities that provide electricity, gas, sewer, water,
telephone, cable television and Internet service to properties within
the Town.
There is hereby created and established a Geddes Tree Committee
for the Town of Geddes. This Committee shall consist of at least three
but no more than nine members, citizens and residents of the Town.
The Geddes Tree Committee shall choose its own officers, make its
own rules and regulations and keep a journal of proceedings.
A. Duties. The Geddes Tree Committee shall:
(1) Be responsible for the study, investigation, council and development
of a Community Forestry Management Plan, which is a framework for
Town tree management. Part of this plan would include an annual budget
to be determined by the Town Board during its annual budget process
in an amount not less than $2 per tax parcel located within the Town
of Geddes outside the Village of Solvay.
(2) Maintain a list of appropriate tree species for planting.
(3) Provide advice and recommendations regarding trees and the community
forest to the Town Board, Planning Board, Town employees, committees
and private citizens of the Town of Geddes.
(4) Regularly communicate with the Town of Geddes Highway Department
on all matters regarding Town trees and work closely with them on
planning and implementing tree plantings.
(5) Coordinate activities, including but not limited to the commemoration
of Arbor Day and to inform and educate the public about the community
forest.
(6) Together with the Town of Geddes, explore opportunities for grants
related to the planting and educational outreach of a community forest.
(7) Investigate conducting an inventory of Town trees, including partnerships
with local universities.
B. Cooperation between agencies. Communication between the Town Board,
the Highway Department, committees of the Town Board, Planning Board,
Parks and Recreation Department and the Geddes Tree Committee regarding
any operations that affect trees within the Town is essential to the
long-term management of the Community Forest. The Town Board will
designate one member to serve as the main point of contact, or liaison
to the Geddes Tree Committee.