[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington 7-10-1975 by Ord. No. 1406. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Environmental Advisory Council — See Ch. 10.
A. 
The Shade Tree Commission shall be composed of residents of the township who shall be appointed by the Township Commissioners and shall serve without compensation.
B. 
The Township Commissioners shall appoint five members, each for a term of five years. Where possible, the appointments shall be staged such that one new appointment is made each year.
[Amended 7-10-2008 by Ord. No. 1963]
C. 
Upon the expiration of the term of any Shade Tree Commissioner, a successor shall be appointed by the Township Commissioners, to serve for a term of five years.
D. 
Vacancies in the office of Shade Tree Commissioner shall be filled by the Township Commissioners for the unexpired term.
The Shade Tree Commission shall have the following powers and shall be required to:
A. 
Work with the appropriate township officials charged with the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision Ordinance of the township[1] regarding shade trees to help implement the provisions of those ordinances with respect to:
(1) 
The planting, removal, maintenance and protection of shade trees in the public streets and highways of the township.
(2) 
The establishment and maintenance of buffer zones.
(3) 
The planting of shade trees in developments.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 146, Subdivision and Land Development, and Ch. 162, Zoning, respectively.
B. 
Contact owners of private property, where there is the possibility of shade trees being removed, to advise them of the desirability of retaining, altering or replacing such trees.
C. 
Work with other township officials and provide information to the public in order to encourage the planting and maintenance of shade trees on private property.
D. 
Prepare and present to the Board of Commissioners such additional legislation as the Commission deems appropriate to promote the planting and maintenance of shade trees in the township.
The Commission shall not hire, employ or pay any tree warden, arborist, forester, engineer or any assistant as might be considered appropriate without the specific approval of the Department of Public Affairs and the Board of Commissioners.
No expenditure by the Commission shall be made without the specific approval of the Department of Public Affairs and the Board of Commissioners.
The Commission shall annually report in full to the Department of Public Affairs and the Board of Commissioners on the activities of the Commission.