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Council adopts tree ordinance change, removes unused tree committee and assigns duties to tree warden
Summary
Charlestown councilors voted unanimously to amend the town's public-trees ordinance to remove the long-unused tree committee and move a systematized tree-management-program duty to the tree warden; an amendment adding explicit tree-warden responsibilities was approved at the hearing.
At a public hearing on March 10 the Charlestown Town Council approved Ordinance No. 428, amending Chapter 163 (Public Trees) to remove the town's tree committee and consolidate tree-management duties under the tree warden.
The sponsor explained the town has not had an active tree committee for many years and few applicants had expressed interest. Several members of the public and applicants spoke: Steve Williams pointed out a likely incomplete sentence in the draft ordinance's school-related language and asked for clarification; another attendee raised concern that striking the tree-committee duties could remove important functions unless those duties were retained elsewhere.
During public comment the council discussed whether duties listed under the committee should be carried out by the tree warden. Councilor Stokes moved and the council approved an amendment to add language specifying that the tree warden shall be responsible for maintaining a systematized tree-management program and tree-management plan; the amendment passed 5-0. After that amendment, the ordinance as amended passed by unanimous roll call vote, 5-0.
Speakers noted practical issues: the tree warden position requires state certification for certain duties, and volunteers have been scarce; one resident said the tree warden is limited from doing business in town and that requirement may reduce applications. The council and staff said state law sets many tree-warden duties and keeping the ordinance aligned with state statute avoids future conflicts.
The change moves several operational duties from an inactive advisory committee into the tree-warden role and references state law where appropriate. The council recorded the ordinance vote by roll call with all five members voting yes.
