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New Canaan Tree Warden Bruce Pauley wants to establish rules so the right oak, locust and fir trees are planted in the right places.
Pauley, who took over as tree warden in November, is looking to create a townwide tree ordinance to ensure better placement of trees. He said it makes sense to establish rules for where trees are planted because some trees are better suited to grow in wide open areas such as parks and others can grow close to buildings without causing problems. It will save the town money in the long run instead of putting trees in the wrong places, Pauley said.
His proposed ordinance would also make people who donate trees to the town responsible for caring for those trees for the first five years. Currently, that maintenance, including trimming or cutting branches, is a town responsibility.
Pauley plans to discuss the proposed ordinance and other tree-related concerns at a public meeting April 24 at New Canaan Library.
The Board of Selectmen voted Thursday to approve an $11,000 contract with Hutchinson Tree Service to prune and remove trees in selected areas. Pauley recently began placing information on planned tree work on the towns website. Notice of any tree work must be posted at least 10 days before the work is done, unless there is an emergency, such as a tree in danger of falling immediately. Pauley said, I think people might be interested to see whats going on."
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