Tree Ordinance Redline October 2019 — File 208994

Section 12-103. Tree warden. The Tree Warden shall be an employee of the City, appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, for a term of three years. The Tree Warden may delegate, subject to their control and direction, any of the powers and duties conferred upon them as Tree Warden to any other officer or employee of the City. 1. The Tree Warden shall be qualified for the role as defined in G.L. c. 41 s. 106, and also according to the standards established and published by the Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association. 2. The duties and responsibilities of the Tree Warden shall conform to G.L. c. 87 and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Management of all trees within public rights-of-way and on City property. b. Granting or denying and attaching reasonable conditions to all permits required under this ordinance. c. Posting notices and holding public hearings for the Removal of Public Shade Trees and City Trees as required by this ordinance. d. Enforcement of this ordinance. Section 12-104. Senior urban forestry and landscape planner. The Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner shall be an employee of the city, appointed by the Mayor. The Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner may delegate, subject to their control and direction, any of the powers and duties conferred upon them as Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner to any other officer or employee of the City. 1. The Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner shall be a Certified Arborist by the Massachusetts Arborist’s Association, The International Society of Arboriculture, or any successor of either organization. 2. The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a. Seeking grants or other assistance concerning the preservation and maintenance of the City’s tree canopy. b. Develop and publish policies, regulations, tree inventory, manuals, and other data and documents necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this ordinance. c. Supervising the planting and care of City Trees to ensure that such planting and care meets these rules, regulations and standards. d. Assisting and working closely with the Tree Warden to help the Tree Warden fulfill their responsibilities. Sec. 12-105. Urban forestry committee. 1. Purpose: The Urban Forestry Committee will be charged with advising with respect to the management and maintenance of all existing and new trees and shrubs on all public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville.

2. Duties: The Urban Forestry Committee shall: a. Review planting policies for trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville, appraise the appropriateness of such plantings, their placement, and the type of maintenance necessary. The Urban Forestry Committee shall also review those planting proposals which it deems significant for trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville. b. This Committee shall have the ability to comment during any City of Somerville permitting review process. c. This Committee may elect to review issues related to the health, effective maintenance, and protection of existing trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville, recommend solutions to any problems identified with such plantings, update the tree inventory with detailed information, and support all public education and outreach by: i. Promoting knowledge and awareness of the benefits of trees in the City. ii. Developing and maintaining a website; iii. Developing and maintaining a noteworthy tree program; iv. Developing educational materials regarding best management practices for tree care; v. Supporting City staff in establishing a volunteer adopt-a-tree program; vi. Supporting City staff during Arbor Day Celebrations; and vii. Considering and recommending incentives for tree planting and maintenance. d. Upon request of the applicant, this Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Tree Warden on waivers for any required replantings or payments associated with the issuance of a Tree Permit. e. This Committee may keep records of trees planted and removed within the City of Somerville and may issue regular reports on the overall status of the City’s urban canopy. 3. Membership: This Committee shall consist of the following members: a. The Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner b. The Tree Warden, and c. Nine members of the public, with at least one member demonstrating expertise in the field of urban forestry, and at least one member demonstrating expertise in the field of landscape design, and two members shall be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen at the time of their appointment or re-appointment, each serving a term of three years, selected by the Mayor, and subject to confirmation by the City Council. d. The Tree Warden and the Senior Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner may, at their discretion, delegate their ex officio status to another employee or officer of the City in the event that they are unable to attend a meeting of the Urban Forestry Committee.