[Adopted 11-3-2003 by Ord. No. 1447;[1] amended in its entirety 4-22-2024 by Ord. No. 24-10]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 384, Art. I, Shade Tree Committee and Tree Mainteannce, adopted 12-18-2000 by Ord. No. 1320.
A. 
The shade trees existing within the Borough of River Edge are of vital importance to the public good due to their aesthetic and environmental benefits and the economic value that they lend to properties within the Borough of River Edge as a consequence of their existence.
B. 
The loss of any shade tree within the Borough of River Edge is a loss to the entire community and, as such, should be avoided except when removal is necessary for reasons of safety, public necessity, or unavoidable development.
A. 
A Shade Tree Advisory Committee is hereby created to discharge the duties hereinafter detailed with the goal of preserving the shade trees in the Borough of River Edge.
B. 
The Committee shall be organized as follows:
(1) 
The Committee shall consist of five regular members and two alternate members. All Committee members shall be residents of the Borough of River Edge and shall serve without compensation. All Committee members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
(2) 
The first Committee members shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of this article, and their initial terms of office shall commence upon the date of their appointment and be for the respective periods: The terms of the initial appointments of the regular members shall be staggered such that one member shall be appointed for a one-year term, two members for a two-year term, and two members for a three-year term,. Thereafter all regular members shall be appointed for a term of three years.
(3) 
There shall be two alternate members, designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2" who shall serve during the absence or disqualification of any regular member or members. Alternate members may attend and speak at all meetings of the Committee but shall not vote except in the absence or disqualification of any regular members. Alternate No. 1 may vote in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. Alternate No. 2 may vote in the absence or disqualification of more than one regular member or in the absence or disqualification of Alternate No. 1 and a regular member. One alternate member shall be initially appointed for a one-year term and one alternate member shall be initially appointed for a two-year term. Thereafter, alternate members shall be appointed for a term of two years.
(4) 
There shall be elected a Chairperson and Secretary by and from the regular membership of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee on an annual basis. No member shall serve as Chairperson or Secretary for more than two consecutive years.
(5) 
Members are eligible to obtain continuing education credits (CEUs) for the Borough as required under the New Jersey Community Forestry Program, in addition to the CORE training for new members. The Committee needs to coordinate with the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works to determine which two individuals will obtain the (CEUs) for the Borough annually, which are a minimum total of eight credits. The Borough shall only pay for the training courses for Committee members. Members may select any courses listed by the Rutgers University Urban Forestry Program. Members are required to notify the Borough Administrator which course they wish to be registered for so that a purchase order can be generated.
[Amended 9-9-2024 by Ord. No. 24-20]
The duties of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee shall be as follows:
A. 
The advising of the Mayor and Council, in writing, at least annually, of such policies, practices, procedures, and actions that should be considered for the replacement and preservation of shade trees within the municipality as part of the Borough's overall governmental philosophy.
B. 
To advise, through a liaison to be decided by the Mayor and Council, the Department of Public Works concerning the maintenance of shade trees within the Borough and, in general, to be a resource for the Mayor and Council in facilitating the various agents and employees of the Borough in protecting and/or replacing such trees as presently exist.
C. 
To generally act as a subject matter expert in preparing reports to the Mayor and Council for submission to the New Jersey Community Forestry Program, coordinating with the Borough Grant Writer for the submission of any grants, and in the absence of a grant writer, submit grant applications associated with shade trees to the Mayor and Council for further action.
D. 
Coordinate Arbor Day activities with the River Edge Board of Education and River Dell Board of Education.
E. 
The Committee shall meet on a quarterly basis, except for the months of July and August. At least 30 days' prior to the end of a calendar year, the Committee shall provide the Borough Clerk with a calendar of meetings for the next year.
F. 
Notwithstanding that the Committee is advisory only and not subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA),[1] meetings shall be held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and the requirements of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).[2] Agendas must be provided to the Borough Clerk for posting on the Borough website no less than a week prior to the meeting. Minutes of the meeting must be approved at the following meeting and forwarded to the Borough Clerk for posting on the Borough website after approval.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 47:1a-1 et seq.
G. 
Help the DPW Superintendent or its designee to administer the provisions enumerated in Article IV, Tree Protection.
H. 
Such other advisory duties as the Mayor and Council shall, from time to time by resolution, entrust to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee in furtherance of the aforementioned goals and objectives.
[Amended 9-9-2024 by Ord. No. 24-20]
Members of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee and designated volunteers who have signed a participation agreement and waiver may plant trees as part of the Borough's shade tree replenishment program in accordance with this section. Volunteers shall not plant any trees without the expressed consent of the DPW Superintendent, Chief of Police, and Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The process shall be as follows:
A. 
The Advisory Committee shall notify the DPW Superintendent, Chief of Police, and Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs via email of the proposed tree location.
B. 
The DPW Superintendent, Chief of Police, and Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs shall review the location and any other related concerns and shall advise the Advisory Committee whether the tree planting and location are approved or disapproved, together with the reasons therefor, via email. The Borough Administrator shall also be informed of any approved or disapproved planting.