This chapter provides the Town of Old Lyme with full power and authority
over all trees and shrubs located within streets, rights-of-way, parks, forests,
and public spaces of the Town, and trees and shrubs located on private property
that constitute a hazard or threat to the public safety. The Town shall have
authority as a matter of right over limbs, roots, or parts of trees and shrubs
that are growing on private property that extend or overhang any municipal
road, right-of-way, or grounds.
The Tree Warden, appointed by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with
the provisions of C.G.S. § 23-58, shall have the powers and duties
with respect to trees and shrubs within the Town as are set forth in C.G.S.
§§ 23-59, 23-60 and 23-65. Furthermore, he shall remove or
cause to be removed all illegally erected signs or advertisements placed upon
poles, trees or other objects within any public road or place under his jurisdiction,
as set forth in said C.G.S. § 23-59.
There shall be established a Tree Commission which shall be responsible
for establishing goals, policies and operative methods with respect to the
tree and shrub assets of the Town.
A. Composition. The Commission shall be composed of five
members, appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The First Selectman and the
Tree Warden shall be nonvoting ex officio members of the Commission.
B. Terms of office. The initial terms of office shall be
three years for two members, two years for two members and one year for one
member. Thereafter, at the expiration of the initial term of each member,
a successor shall be appointed for a term of three years.
C. Alternate members.
[Added 1-26-2004]
(1) There shall be two alternate members of the Tree Commission who
shall be electors of the Town and who shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen
for a term of one year each January.
(2) In the event a regular member of the Tree Commission shall be
absent or disqualified, the Chairman shall designate an alternate member to
so act, choosing alternates in rotation so that they shall act as nearly an
equal number of times as possible.