The Town of Charlestown Town Council hereby
finds that:
A.
Trees improve air quality by trapping dust, through
absorption of carbon dioxide and with replenishment of the atmosphere
with oxygen.
B.
Trees reduce noise pollution and provide glare and
heat protection.
C.
Trees increase economic stability by attracting businesses
and individuals to the community and enhancing property values.
D.
Trees improve personal health by relieving psychological
stresses and creating feelings of relaxation and well being.
E.
Trees create wildlife diversity by providing valuable
shelter, cover and food.
F.
Trees improve water quality by the prevention of erosion
and rapid runoff allowing for recharging of the ground water supply.
G.
Trees add beauty by softening the harsh lines of development.
H.
Trees improve the quality of life for all of us and
are essential in the maintenance of the rural character of Charlestown.
The purposes of this tree ordinance are:
A.
To regulate the protection, planting and non public-safety
related maintenance and removal of trees now or hereafter growing
within the public rights-of-way in the Town of Charlestown.
B.
To establish a Tree Committee as a sub-committee of
the Conservation Commission composed of at least one member of the
Conservation Commission as well as interested members of the community
to assist the Tree Warden in the regulation, protection, maintenance,
removal and planting of trees within public rights-of-way and to assist
in the management of trees within public parks and other public property
when requested by the specific municipal body or department having
the designated responsibility for that property.
C.
To establish guidelines for removing, maintaining
and planting trees so as to:
D.
To conduct a public tree inventory and then develop
and implement a Systematized Tree Management Program.
Any person applying for a permit required by this ordinance.
A written assent from the Town of Charlestown Tree Warden,
or Town Administrator in his absence, pursuant to a duly executed
application for approval.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind including public utility and municipal
department.
For the purpose of this ordinance, any Town public spaces
designated for recreation and/or conservation under authorized control
of the Charlestown Recreation Commission and/or the Conservation Commission.
Any living, self-supporting wood plant that has a well defined
stem(s) with a caliper of at least two inches at 4.5 feet from the
ground.
The volunteer sub-committee of the Conservation Commission
composed of at least one member of the Charlestown Conservation Commission
as well as interested members of the community. Maximum membership
of five.
Any act that will cause a tree to die within a three year
period.
The municipal arborist or other qualified designated official
of the Town assigned to carry out the enforcement of this ordinance.
An opening in the ground surrounding the base of the tree
trunk not covered by sidewalk or paving.
