The Programs and Services Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch video on NewTV):
- Appointment of Cynthia Arcate to the Newton Commonwealth Foundation
- Reappointment of Randall Johnson as an alternate member of the Parks and Recreation Commission
All other items were held.
The Committee discussed both proposals to amend the Tree Ordinance. The Committee, at the direction of the Chair, reviewed each section of the ordinance focusing on areas of disagreement. Initial areas of disagreement were the Applicability Section where committee members (Humphrey, Krintzman, Albright, Greenberg, and Ryan)voted against including city-owned land and the proposal to exclude single and two-family lots where no exterior construction is planned to take place within 24 months (Wright opposed). The Committee was unanimous in changing the term Legacy Trees to Landmark Trees. Councilors Albright and Noel opposed a clarification of the 24-month period’s application on the transfer of ownership (City Forester and Assistant Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Culture explained that the permit would transfer to the new owner who would be subject to replacement requirements). Committee members and Welch also expressed concern regarding a proposal to include a Tree Protection Plan in the Special Permit Process with 1 voting in favor (Wright), 4 Committee members voting against (Albright, Krintzman, Greenberg, Noel), and 3 abstaining (Baker, Humprhey, Ryan). Finally, 6 of the Committee members (Humphrey and Ryan abstained) voted to include the City’s proposed amendment to allow the Tree Warden to waive requirements if no exterior work is planned.
