[Adopted by Ord. No. 2004-15 (Sec. 2-54 of the 1987 Revised General Ordinances)]
[Amended 5-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-09]
There is hereby created a Shade Tree Committee, which will be
known as "The Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Red Bank." The
Committee shall consist of five members, plus two Alternate Commissioners,
who shall be designated at the times of their appointment as "Alternate
No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2," all to be appointed by the Mayor with
the advice and consent of Council. The members shall be residents
of the Borough and shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter
provided. Members shall be appointed on the basis of their qualifications,
fitness and desire to fulfill and advance the objectives and purposes
of the Committee as set forth herein. An alternate commissioner may
participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except
in the absence or disqualification of a regular commissioner. A vote
shall not be delayed in order that a regular commissioner may vote
instead of an alternate commissioner. In the event that a choice must
be made as to which alternate commissioner is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
[Amended 5-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-09]
The initial Committee members to be appointed shall be appointed
for staggered terms so that the term of one member shall expire in
one year and the terms of two members shall expire in each of the
next two years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a three-year
term. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members
shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified and
they shall receive no compensation for their services. The initial
terms of the alternate commissioners first appointed shall be two
years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that
the term of not more than one alternate commissioner shall expire
in any one year.
The Mayor and Council shall have the discretion, upon recommendation
from the Committee, to remove any member who is not fulfilling his
or her duties and responsibilities.
A.Â
The members of the Committee shall annually elect from their own
number a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. The duties of
the Chairperson shall be to set the meeting dates, conduct the meetings
of the Committee, appoint subcommittees and report on such to the
Mayor and Council. The duties of the Vice Chairperson shall be to
assist the Chairperson in the completion of his or her duties and
to act in his or her stead during an absence. The duties of the Secretary
shall be to record the minutes of all meetings of the Committee and
to receive and transmit all correspondence of the Committee.
B.Â
The Committee shall meet regularly in connection with the performance
of its duties. It may adopt rules and regulations in order to facilitate
the carrying out of its duties and the conduct of its meetings.
During the month of December of each year, the Committee shall
submit a budget request to the Mayor and Council. In each annual budget
of the Borough, a sum shall be appropriated as may be determined by
the Mayor and Council to be necessary for the Committee to accomplish
the purposes set forth herein and to implement those recommendations
of the Committee which the Mayor and Council, in its discretion, deems
feasible and appropriate.
The powers and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:
A.Â
To foster and promote arboriculture and the preservation and planting
of shade trees within the Borough.
B.Â
To identify and recommend to the governing body locations on Borough
of Red Bank public land where trees should be planted and tree maintenance
would be beneficial. This includes areas where new trees can be planted
and existing trees can be pruned or removed if they are dying or present
a hazard. The Committee shall recommend a priority of locations where
trees should be planted on Borough property.
C.Â
To assist the governing body in obtaining grants or other resources
for shade tree purposes.
D.Â
To make recommendations to the Code Enforcement Officer, or other
responsible enforcement officer, to cite a property owner for the
remediation or removal of any trees on private property that are deemed
to endanger the public safety, health or welfare.
E.Â
To review applications pending before the Planning Board or Board
of Adjustment and make comments and recommendations to the Boards
concerning such applications.
