Tree Board

 (Chapter VIII, Article 8, Section 8-801B-D)

The Board shall have the following five (5) members: One Council Member in charge of Parks and Trees; Two Town staff members - Public Works and Code Enforcement; Two citizen members appointed by the Mayor who shall have staggered, two-year terms, except in the year the Board is established. In the year the Board is established, one (1) appointment shall be for one (1) year and one (1) shall be for two (2) years. Thereafter, all appointments shall be made for two year terms. Members of the Board shall serve with no compensation. The Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure, subject to approval of the Mayor and Council, and keep an official record of its meetings and proceedings. A record of minutes will be included in the Town Journal. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.

Purpose of Board:

1. Enhance the beauty of the Town
2. Protect trees and shrubs located on public property from undesirable or unsafe maintenance practices and spread of disease or pests. 
3. Encourage Town of Kensington citizens to adopt practices that promote and protect healthy trees and shrubs.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. On a quarterly basis, the Board shall:
• Study the landscape within the Town of Kensington and review Town landscape plans
• Make recommendations to the Mayor and Council regarding the selection, installation, removal, maintenance and relocation of trees and shrubs 
2. With the advice of the State Forest Service the Board shall establish, maintain an official list of trees and shrubs suited for urban planting in the region's climatic zone. No trees other than those on the official list may be planted upon public ways or public areas within the Town without the approval of the Board.
3. The Board has the authority to establish, maintain, and disseminate guidelines regarding:
• Proper installation, removal, and maintenance practices
• Safe and proper spacing of trees and shrubs 
• Preservation of wildlife habitats 
4.  The Board has the authority to sponsor educational activities to: 
• Increase public appreciation of trees of aesthetic, historical, or ecological value on public and private lands within the Town limits
• Encourage residents to include in their landscape plans the varieties of trees and shrubs on the official Town list
5. The Board has the authority to propose, present, and recommend to the Mayor and Council any resolution, ordinance or Charter change that advances the purposes set forth in this article.