Voting:Board of Selectmen Voted: That Title V, Article 16 (Tree Protection and Preservation), Section 4, Procedures and Requirements for Preservation of Trees, be and hereby is amended by striking the amount “$500” in paragraph “C;” and inserting the following after the words “Tree Fund,” and before the words “prior to commencement,” “in the amount set by a mitigation schedule approved by the Select Board assigning a value per inch of DBH of Protected Tree(s) to reflect the cost of planting and caring for new public trees”; so as to read as follows:
Section 4. Procedures and Requirements for the Preservation of Trees
A. Removal of Protected Trees on applicable sites shall be prohibited unless such removal is authorized by a written approval of the Tree Plan and commencement of work, in accordance with this Bylaw.
B. In all instances of construction or demolition as defined and applicable herein, the owner of the property shall submit a Tree Plan accompanied by a fee of $50, to the Tree Warden prior to or concurrent with an application for a building or demolition permit. Additionally, if any Protected Trees were removed during the 12 months preceding the application for a building or demolition permit, such trees shall be accounted for on the Tree Plan to the best of the owner's ability, and shall be mitigated pursuant to paragraph 4.C
C. For each Protected Tree removed, there shall be either (1) a replacement tree planted on the property no later than 180 days after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, of a minimum caliper of two and a half (2.5) inches and of a species native to the area and expected to reach a height of 50 feet or more at maturity; or (2) a $500 payment made to the Tree Fund prior to commencement,” “in the amount set by a mitigation schedule approved by the Select Board assigning a value per inch of DBH of Protected Tree(s) to reflect the cost of planting and caring for new public trees, prior to commencement of work on the property, which the Town shall use to plant replacement trees in the vicinity of the tree removal or in other locations in the discretion of the Tree Warden.
D. If the Tree Plan is consistent with the requirements of this Bylaw, the Tree Warden shall so certify in writing approving the Tree Plan and commencement of work. Said certification shall occur within 10 business days. If the Tree Plan as submitted does not satisfy the requirements of this By-law and associated rules and regulations, the Tree Warden shall so notify the applicant with recommendations to achieve compliance. The Tree Warden shall be permitted access to the site during normal business hours to verify and ensure compliance with the approved Tree Plan.