BOROUGH OF STONINGTON

 

POLICY ON MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC TREES

 

DATE:  June 2006

 

PURPOSE:  To establish criteria and procedures for performing maintenance, including pruning and removal, on public trees of the Borough of Stonington. 

 

BACKGROUND:  Trees contribute to the beauty and atmosphere of the Borough.  Those located on public land, such as along streets and in parks, belong to all the citizens of the Borough.  Therefore, there is a need for a defined process by which public trees are maintained, removed, and planted.  Except in emergency situations, such as after a major storm, no tree is to be pruned or cut down without following the steps outlined below.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

  1. A resident who believes a tree on public land needs pruning or removal should bring the tree in question to the attention of the Borough Tree Commissioner.
  2. The Tree Commissioner will inspect the tree and if necessary consult with a licensed arborist.
  3. If the tree requires pruning, the Tree Commissioner will arrange to have the services performed by a tree service.
  4. If the Tree Commissioner concludes that the tree should be removed, she/he will place at least two signs on the trunk of the tree advising that the tree will be removed on or about a date no less than 14 days following the next scheduled monthly meeting of the Board of Warden & Burgesses.  In addition the sign will state that the matter will be placed on the agenda of the next monthly Warden & Burgess meeting.
  5. The proposed removal will be placed on the agenda of the next regular Warden & Burgess meeting.  After any public comment is taken on the subject, the Board will vote on it.
  6. If the Board of Warden & Burgesses votes to approve the proposed removal, the Tree Commissioner will make arrangements for its removal.
  7. If one or more trees are taken down during or following a storm, the Tree Commissioner will report on the losses at the next regular meeting of the Warden & Burgesses.

 

 

LONG TERM MAINTENANCE PLAN: An inventory of all public trees will be performed approximately every ten years, beginning in 2008.  The inventory will record the location, species, approximate height, and condition of all trees six feet or greater in height on public land.  It will be used as the basis for developing, with the assistance of professional landscape designers, a comprehensive plan for maintaining and improving the Borough’s valuable public trees.

 

Revised November 2006