A Commission to be known as the "Shade Tree Commission" is hereby established.
The Commission shall have exclusive custody and control of all shade
trees on Township property and is authorized to plant, remove, maintain and
protect all shade trees on the public streets and highways in accordance with
the published rules and regulations of the Township.
The Commission shall, by July 1 of each year, submit a report to the
Board summarizing accomplishments during the past fiscal year and plans for
the next year, together with a preliminary budget.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the Township shall
have the right, without prior notice to any property owner, to perform any
acts necessary to abate clear, present and immediate threats to the public
health, safety or welfare caused by the condition of any trees or parts thereof.
If any such threat is the result of any person's action or inaction,
the Township will assess the cost of such summary abatement against that person.
Except in case of immediate necessity for protection of life or property,
it shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to do any of the following
acts:
A. Cut, break, climb with spurs, injure in any manner or
remove a shade tree.
B. Cut down a shade tree or interfere in any manner with
the roots of a shade tree.
C. Spray a shade tree with any chemicals or insecticides.
D. Place any rope, guy wire, cable, sign, poster or other
fixture on a shade tree or on a shade tree guard.
E. Use, store or pour any material in such a manner that
it could result in injury to a shade tree.
Whenever, in order to take down or prune a shade tree, it is necessary
to remove any electric wire or wires, the Township Arborist shall arrange
with PECO to cut off electricity while work is being done and, except for
emergency situations, shall notify all residents affected at least 24 hours
beforehand.
All codes covered by this chapter shall be enforced by the Shade Tree
Commission and by the Director and his duly authorized representative.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be liable to a fine or penalty not exceeding the legal limits for each offense.
Each day that any such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
All penalties or assessments imposed under this chapter shall be paid
to the Township Treasurer to be placed to the credit of the Shade Tree Commission.
[Amended 8-5-1992 by Ord. No. 3296]
The Commission shall hold meetings as they shall determine in the Township
Administration Building. The public is invited to attend and will be so advised
by a notice in the Main Line Times. Because some meetings may be canceled,
the notice should advise that anyone who plans to attend should contact the
Public Works Department beforehand.