Tree Board

*This committee is seeking new members! Thinking about joining? Click here to submit an application!*


Montpelier Tree Board Plan 2023

About the Tree Board

The purpose of the Tree Board is to protect the public health and welfare by improving and preserving the beauty of the city as it relates to street trees and park trees. The Board administers and updates a plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, and in other public areas. The City Council and the Planning Commission may also request the Tree Board's expertise in special matters which come within the Board's scope of work.

The Tree Board and Tree Warden's duties are spelled out in Section 13-301 of the City's Code of Ordinances, which was first adopted in 1972, as well as 24 V.S.A. Chapter 67.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Tree Board's scope of responsibility includes studying, investigating, counseling, and developing and/or updating annually, and administering a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. Also, if requested by the City Council, the Board must consider, investigate, make findings, report and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work.

Members

  • John Snell, Chair
  • Alec Ellsworth, Tree Warden
  • John Akielaszek
  • Steve Bailey
  • Abby Colihan
  • James Findlay-Shirras
  • Sarah Hoffmeier
  • Shawn White
  • Ethan Borland (student)
  • Ben Wetherell (student)

The Tree Board is comprised of 9 members, citizens and city residents appointed by the City Council for a period of 3 years. In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of any member, his or her successor is appointed for the unexpired portion of their term.

Conditions of Term

Any member may be removed from the board for cause. Cause shall include but not be limited to excessive absences from scheduled board meetings and clearly identified conflicts of interest. (Removal of a member from the board requires a majority vote of the remaining members and the concurrence of the City Council.)