(A) The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees on Town-owned public property and rights-of-way within the Town and on Town-owned property wherever located. In order to protect and conserve trees on public property and rights-of-way, this chapter provides for the planting, pruning, treatment, and removal of trees and shrubs as is deemed necessary. This chapter is also intended to provide for the trimming or removal of trees on public land when they obscure street lights, interfere with utility lines, constitute a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic, or otherwise endanger the public health, safety, or welfare, and to establish procedures and practices for fulfilling these purposes.
(B) Another purpose of this chapter is to encourage, insofar as practical, the protection and preservation of trees within the Town because of the unique benefits they provide the community in assisting the natural control of solar heat, soil conservation, flood control, air pollution, and noise; and in providing a haven for community wildlife and providing citizens with psychological relief from the increasing complexities of a manmade urban environment.
(C) This chapter is intended to regulate and not to cause hardship to any person who uses the utmost care and diligence to protect trees on Town-owned property nor to preempt required corrective actions by persons, firms, or corporations in clearly obvious emergency situations.
(1989 Code, § 101.02) (Ord. passed 4-8-1980)