(A) There is hereby created and established a commission to be known and designated as the “North Manchester Tree Advisory Commission”.
(B) (1) Membership. The Commission shall consist of five official members, as follows: Town Manager, who shall serve ex-officio; a member of the Town Council or another designated resident of the town, as selected by the presiding officer of Town Council; and three citizen members, each such appointee to be designated by majority vote of the Town Council. Each member shall serve until a successor is appointed and assumes the responsibilities of the position. From among the members of the Commission, the Commission members shall designate a Chairperson. Citizen members of the Commission appointed by the Town Council shall serve for a term of two years and until a successor has been appointed; provided that, the initial appointees shall serve for terms of two, three and four years, the term of each initial appointee to be fixed by the appointing authority.
(2) Advisory members.
(a) The Commission is authorized to appoint advisory members to the Commission at any meeting of the Commission at which a quorum is present.
(b) Advisory members shall not have the right to vote.
(3) Chairperson. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be selected at its first meeting and annually thereafter in the month of January, upon nomination by a member of the Commission and election by a majority of the Commission membership.
(4) Secretary. The Chairperson of the Commission shall appoint the Secretary of the Commission, whose duty it shall be to deliver written notices to members for special meeting of the Commission; keep and preserve its minutes; and to place all documents and papers of the Commission for safekeeping with the Clerk-Treasurer of the town.
(5) Meetings. The Commission shall meet during the month of January and not less frequently than quarter annually at predetermined times and places and shall convene in special meetings on the call of the Chairperson or on call by a majority of its membership, upon 48 hours’ written notice.
(6) Quorum. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the making of any recommendation, and actions shall be deemed authorized if carried by a majority of a quorum. Voting by proxy shall not be authorized.
(C) The Commission shall be responsible for advising the Town Council:
(1) In matters concerning the maintenance, removal and replacement of trees in tree lawns;
(2) In matters relating to the collection and disposal of fallen leaves;
(3) Providing educational information to residents regarding the value and care of trees;
(4) Of means and methods of improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the town by recommending plans for visually appealing tree canopies and town entrance ways;
(5) Means and methods of enhancing the quality of air for persons in the town and to assist in the recycling of natural resources; and
(6) Means and methods of removing the danger from trees in poor condition while improving the town’s visual appearance.
(Prior Code, Title I, Ch. I, Art. XV)