Background

In 2000, a local residents’ group formed the Pelham Tree Conservation Society and compiled a series of procedures to follow with respect to the management of trees located on municipally-owned properties such as road allowances, parks and cemeteries. Through Municipal Operations Report MOR-33/00, the General Committee/Operations Division recommended a number of amendments to the proposed procedures and that Council adopt the revised Tree Planting, Maintenance and Replacement Guideline.

In 2015, the Committee of the Whole requested that staff investigate the creation of a policy to explore the means to provide the community with safe and healthy municipal trees that are planted in newly developed areas, maintained and inspected regularly, and removed and replaced as required through Action #20150908005. In 2016, Action Report #20151013003 Public Works Policy S802-01 for Tree Management was presented to the Policy and Priorities Committee and was later adopted by Council.

As the result of a series of complaints regarding tree maintenance and tree removal in the urban portion of Fonthill during 2020, Council added “Tree Maintenance Policy” as a strategic action item in the Town’s strategic plan. This report is written in satisfaction of the directive to bring back options and potentially updated tree policy to Council. Staff look forward to receiving direction on the next steps.