§ 300-21. Intent and purpose, establishment, power and duties.

A. 

Intent and purpose. Trees in a community provide many unique services and values. Trees recycle air and water, absorb pollution, buffer noise, and provide shade, air cooling, and windbreak protection. They also help control flooding and erosion of topsoil. Trees enhance property values and the beauty of the community as well as provide critical habitat for birds and other wildlife species. There is hereby established in the Village of Dobbs Ferry a Tree Commission to protect the character of Dobbs Ferry as a well-treed village, consistent with its being a "Tree City."

B. 

Establishment and organization.

(1) 

In accordance with the findings set forth above, there is hereby established in the Village of Dobbs Ferry a Tree Commission to consist of at least three members appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

(2) 

One member shall be a Village officer or employee. The other members shall be from the public at large.

(3) 

Tree Commission members shall serve three-year terms.

(4) 

The Mayor shall select one of the members of the Tree Commission to serve as Chairperson, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

(5) 

In the creation of the Tree Commission, the appointment of members to the Commission shall be for terms so fixed that one member's term shall expire at the end of the Village official year in which such members were initially appointed. The remaining members' terms shall be so fixed that one member's term shall expire at the end of each official year thereafter.

(6) 

If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, the Mayor shall appoint a new member for the unexpired term.

C. 

Powers and duties. The Tree Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) 

To adopt rules and regulations for its operation and to follow said rules and regulations in the conduct of its official business.

(2) 

To advise the Village Board of Trustees and other boards on matters affecting the preservation and protection of significant trees throughout the Village.

(3) 

To develop and conduct a program of public information in the community to foster increased understanding of proper tree husbandry to protect the health of trees in the Village.

(4) 

To conduct studies, surveys and inventories of significant trees within the Village of Dobbs Ferry as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.

(5) 

To seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Village of Dobbs Ferry in accord with the purposes of this chapter.

(6) 

To prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.

(7) 

To review each application received by the Village seeking approval for the removal of a specimen tree, of a tree with a circumference of six inches or more as measured at a height of 54 inches above the natural grade, or of a stand of trees regardless of size that factor into the landscape of the Village, and to make recommendations concerning the removal and/or the replacement of trees to the Board of Trustees, the Planning Board and/or the Land Use Officer.

(8) 

To request the opinion of outside experts, including a qualified arborist, to help determine the health of a tree subject to a tree removal application.

(9) 

To prepare a list of appropriate trees to be planted within the Village, with preference given to indigenous tree types, as well as a list of invasive species that should not be planted within the Village.

(10) 

To advise on the replacement of trees lost by age or damage to assure that the new trees planted will be of a species, type and size that will thrive and be appropriate in the specific location, as well as not interfere with view vistas, disturb paved areas and curbs, block visibility at street intersections, or interfere with utility wires.

(11) 

To advise on tree trimming in an effort to maintain healthy trees with attractive canopies, while also maintaining safety, particularly with utility wires, and valued vistas and views.

(12) 

To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Trustees.