[Adopted 2-16-1993 by Ord. No. 93-2]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 367, Trees.
A. 
The shade trees existing within the Borough of Westwood are of vital importance to the public good due to their aesthetic and environmental benefits and the economic value that they lend to property within the Borough of Westwood as a consequence of their existence.
B. 
The loss of any shade tree within the Borough of Westwood 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. 
An Advisory Committee consisting of five persons is hereby created to discharge the duties hereinafter detailed with the goal of preserving the shade trees in the Borough of Westwood.
B. 
The Committee shall be organized as follows:
(1) 
There shall be five seats on the Committee, numbered one through five.
(2) 
The initial appointments shall be for a term of years corresponding to the seat number. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a five-year term.
(3) 
Partial year terms shall expire on December 31, to the end that all terms shall always commence effective January 1 and expire on December 31 as years go by.
(4) 
There shall be elected a Chairman and Secretary by and from the membership of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
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 shall be undertaken for the replacement and preservation of shade trees within the municipality as part of the Borough's overall governmental philosophy.
B. 
Developing and implementing, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, procedures calculated to prevent the unnecessary damage or destruction of trees located in the public rights-of-way or within public parks throughout the Borough by utilizing Public Works crews, contractors, or members of the general public.
C. 
To advise, through a liaison to be decided by the Mayor and Council, the Public Works Department 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.
D. 
To develop programs for the systematic replacement or addition of shade trees, whether by public funds or private donations to the Borough.
E. 
To generally act as a clearing house and coordinating agency for any and all matters affecting shade trees in the Borough of Westwood.
F. 
Such other 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.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 21-4]
Members of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC), and designated volunteers who have signed a participation agreement and waiver, may plant trees as part of the Borough's shade tree replenishment program if, and only if, the DPW Superintendent has marked the exact location of the planting, and has deemed it a safe area for the volunteers to plant the tree. Volunteers shall not plant any trees without the expressed consent of the DPW Superintendent. The process shall be as follows:
A. 
STAC shall identify a location in the right-of-way for planting a tree.
B. 
STAC shall obtain written property owner consent for tree site and planting, which shall include a commitment to water and otherwise care for the tree.
C. 
STAC shall mark the tree location with stake.
D. 
STAC shall notify the DPW Superintendent via email of the proposed tree location.
E. 
The DPW Superintendent shall review the location and any other related concerns and shall approve via email.
F. 
STAC shall be responsible for calling 811 for utility markouts.
G. 
STAC shall coordinate the planting with the DPW Superintendent, who shall provide the shade tree and tools for planting.
H. 
STAC shall provide care instructions specific to the tree species planted to the property owner.