[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Edgewood 3-20-2017 by Ord. No. 1060. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Trees — See Ch. 188.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Borough of Edgewood.
The duly appointed members of the Council of the Borough
of Edgewood.
The duly appointed members of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee
of the Borough of Edgewood.
All real estate within the Borough of Edgewood except real
estate that is owned, leased, controlled or occupied by local, state
or federal government agencies.
The area of any public street, road, highway or other publicly
held thoroughfare that has been designated by law as a public right-of-way.
The paved area which extends from the property line to the
outer edge of the curbing.
Any public street, avenue, road, drive, circle, square, alley,
way, highway, sidewalk or other public place located in the Borough,
as established within the ordained right-of-way.
Any tree on the land lying between the sidewalk and the street
and owned by the Borough.
When used by itself, any woody plant which generally includes
those having a single main stem which grows to a mature height of
over 10 feet.
A.
There is hereby established an Edgewood Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three and no more
than five members who are residents of the Borough and who shall be
appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Council
shall, where possible, appoint residents who have a strong interest
and knowledge of the issues related to the preservation and expansion
of the Borough's trees.
B.
The term of office for the Shade Tree Advisory Committee members
shall be fixed for three years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall
be for the unexpired term.
A.
The responsibility of the Committee shall be to advise the Borough
Council on matters of policy involving the preservation of street
trees.
B.
The Committee shall act as a resource to the Borough and residents
on proper arboriculture and urban forestry principles and practices.
The Committee shall promote tree planting and care of private trees
through outreach and education to Borough residents, which may include
such activities as writing articles for the Borough newsletter, offering
activities relating to trees at public events.
C.
The Committee shall assist the Borough with identifying funding programs
that support the preservation of street trees and the planting of
new street trees. Any such grants or funding opportunities will be
applied for and implemented by Borough employees after approval by
the Borough Council.
D.
The Committee shall make recommendations for street tree species
selection, placement, removal and pruning.
E.
When requested by the Council, the Committee shall make findings,
reports and recommendations to the Council on special matters such
as potential threats to Borough trees (i.e., pests and disease).
F.
The Committee shall periodically review the Borough's tree ordinances
and recommend changes to the Borough Council.
G.
Communication with the Borough's arborist is encouraged to discuss
planned care for Borough trees.
A.
In accordance with the Borough Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
final decisions with respect to the cutting or removal of trees owned
by the Borough for any reason, including disease or circumstances
which present a threat to public safety or health, shall rest with
the Borough Manager, who shall have authority to direct the Edgewood
Borough Public Works Department or a professional arborist regarding
any plantings, removals or pruning of street trees.
B.
The Borough and/or its professional tree service company, shall have
exclusive custody and control of, and the power to plant, remove,
prune, protect and care for any street trees. The final determination
with respect to the expenditure of Borough funds for street trees
or activities of the Shade Tree Committee, including any final decisions
with respect to the removal, pruning or planting of trees, shall rest
with the appropriate officials of Edgewood Borough, including the
Borough Manager.
C.
The Committee shall not have the authority to restrict the planting,
pruning or removal of trees on private property. Borough funds will
not be allocated for the planting, pruning or removal of trees on
private property.
