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Woolwich adopts revised trees ordinance with one-year compliance window
Summary
The Woolwich Township Committee adopted Ordinance 2024-17 updating the municipal trees code and allowing up to one year before violations are issued; officials said outreach through the website, social media and the township newsletter will notify residents.
Woolwich Township on Sept. 16 adopted Ordinance 2024-17, amending Chapter 177 of the township code that governs trees. Mayor Matthias read the ordinance on second reading and the committee approved it by unanimous roll-call vote.
Residents urged clarity about how the ordinance would affect private-property actions and boundary issues. A resident of 10 Wilshire Blvd. asked whether homeowners would be notified if fences need to be relocated to match newly established lot boundaries; Mayor Matthias said the lots in question border township-owned property and that staff would provide clarification.
A resident of 70 Viereck Road raised questions about farmers’ rights to remove trees on their own property and about notice requirements for overhanging trees. Mayor Matthias responded that passage is an initial step and that the committee retains the authority to modify parts or sections of the ordinance later.
Committeeman Frederick pressed officials on how the township would notify property owners. Mayor Matthias said the committee will allow up to a one-year grace period before issuing violations and directed the township administrator to use the township website, social media and the newsletter to reach residents.
The ordinance won final passage on a 4–0 roll call (Frederick, McGovern, Minhas and Matthias voting yes). The committee did not specify immediate enforcement actions beyond the announced outreach and the one-year compliance period.
