Trees provide the following benefits to the
City and its residents. Trees:
A. Protect and enhance the visual quality of the City
and the quality of life of the City's residents.
B. Protect and increase property values.
C. Reduce stormwater runoff and the costs associated
therewith.
D. Reduce energy consumption through the wind break and
shade effects of trees when they are properly placed.
E. Reduce noise within the City through the baffle and
barrier effect of trees on the spread of noise.
F. Reduce topsoil erosion through the soil retention
effect of tree roots.
G. Purify water and replenish groundwater supplies.
H. Provide wildlife habitat (i.e., nesting areas for
birds and other wildlife) which in turn assists control of insects.
I. Enhance and preserve the air quality by providing
beneficial oxygen while reducing the levels of harmful carbon dioxide.
A "protected shade tree" is any tree which is
within a public way, in a public park or on other public property,
as well as any public shade trees as defined by MGL c. 87. Protected
shade trees shall also include those planted with public funds in
public ways or upon adjoining land at a distance not exceeding 20
feet from a public way, provided that such trees have been planted
in accordance with MGL c. 87, § 7.
No permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall
take effect until a final decision by the Tree Board has been made
with respect to any appeal brought thereto and in no event until at
least five days from the date of its issuance by the Tree Warden.
If any person is dissatisfied with a decision
or other official action of the Tree Warden adversely affecting such
person involving the application of this chapter, such person may
file an appeal of the Tree Warden's decision or other official action
with the Tree Board. Said appeal must be in writing and must be received
by the Tree Board within five business days of the issuance of the
Tree Warden's decision. The Tree Board shall hear and make a final
decision on all appeals within 30 days from the date of receipt of
any such appeal. The Tree Board shall file a written decision with
the City Clerk and mail such written decision to all interested parties.
The decision of the Tree Board shall be final and there shall be no
further appeal of a matter decided by the Tree Board. No tree shall
be removed while an appeal is pending.
[Amended 11-19-2013]
There shall be established a tree replacement
revolving fund in accordance with MGL c. 44, § 53E 1/2,
which shall be held in a separate identifiable account and administered
in accordance with applicable provisions of the General Laws. All
sums deposited into such fund shall be used solely for the purpose
of buying, planting and maintaining trees in the City and shall be
administered by the City Manager in accordance with the provisions
of the revolving fund.