The Programs and Services Committee voted to approve the following (see Report):
- Appointment of James Cote to the Licensing Board (5-0-1, Councilor Humphrey Abstaining, Councilors Ryan and Noel Not Voting)
- Appointment of Harry Meade to the Biosafety Committee (7-0, Councilor Noel Not Voting)
- Appointment of Bill Dain to the Human Rights Commission (8-0)
- Appointment of Maureen Sullivan to the Human Rights Commission (8-0)
- Reappointment of Julie Winsett to Urban Tree Commission (8-0)
- Reappointment of James Harper to the Farm Commission (8-0)
- Reappointment of Gary C. du Moulin to the Biosafety Committee(8-0)
- Request to proceed with the process of updating the City Seal with the condition that a member of the City Council is added to the City Seal Working Group. The request is to allow for a design consultant to develop potential designs for an updated seal. The estimated cost would be $25,000. (8-0)
- Request to transfer $150,000 from Law Department Full Time Salaries to retain outside counsel to continue the work of Deputy City Solicitor Jeffrey Honig, due to the sudden nature of his passing. (8-0)
The Programs & Services Committee voted to hold:
- The two proposed Tree Preservation Amendments to Chapter 21, Art III Trees to extend tree protection and update permits (8-0)
Enforcement: There was a straw vote on enforcement, with the committee voting not to change the ability for the tree warden to issue stop work orders.
Penalties: There was also a straw vote on penalties to maintain the city proposal of $300 fine for tree removal without a permit for habitual offenders and $300, with each day constituting a separate offense, for failure to replace trees or make payment in lieu of planting.
Newton Cemetery Exemption: Councilors expressed concerns with various aspects of the proposed language and the Committee agreed to have the Law Department redraft the language.
Hedges: The city is moving away from allowing hedges to be counted as replacement trees, and the Tree Warden provided definition of hedges that will be added to the ordinance.
24-month Look Back provision: New Owner will be responsible for any unpaid fees if the property is sold. Tree size and species are recorded in the online permitting system with tree permits and exemptions.
Payment Table: The Tree Warden will present a table for the fee schedule at an upcoming meeting.
