(A) Creation and establishment of a Town Tree Committee. There is hereby created and established a Town Tree Committee for the Town of Chestertown, Maryland, which shall consist of five members, citizens and residents of this town, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
(B) Term of office. The term of the five persons to be appointed by the Mayor shall be three years except that the term of two of the members appointed to the first committee shall be for only one year and the term of three members of the first committee shall be for two years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term. The Mayor and Council shall name the Chairman.
(C) Compensation. Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
(D) Powers and duties; annual submission of Town Tree Plan. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to study, investigate, counsel, and develop and/or update annually and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, and in other public areas. The plan will be presented annually to the Mayor and Town Council and, upon their acceptance and approval, shall constitute the official Comprehensive Town Tree Plan for the town. The Committee, when requested by the Mayor and Town Council, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report, and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work. The Committee, shall review and approve the street tree plans for any and all site plans and subdivisions submitted to the Town Planning Commission for their consideration. When requested by the Mayor and Town Council or Planning Commission, they may also consider, investigate and make findings and recommendation concerning other types of projects which include trees at locations other than on the street.
(E) Rules of procedure. The Committee shall make its own rules and regulations and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.
(Prior Code, § 156-2) (Ord. 5-81, passed 12-16-1981; Ord. 07-2009, passed 7-20-2009; Ord. 01-2022, passed 5-16-2022)