§ 14-29. Trimming.

(a)

Any person growing a tree, plant or shrub on any private property abutting on public streets or public places shall:

(1)

Trim them so as not to be a hazard to persons using the streets or to interfere with the proper lighting of the streets.

(2)

Treat or remove any tree, plant or shrub which the public works director shall determine is diseased or insect-ridden or a hazard to persons using the streets.

(3)

Remove and refrain from planting any tree, plant or shrub designated by the state department of agriculture and published in its regulations to be a host or carrier of a dangerous plant disease or insect pest.

(b)

Trees and shrubs standing in or upon any boulevard, public area or upon any private premises adjacent to any public right-of-way or public areas shall be kept trimmed so that the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than 14 feet. The public works director may waive the provisions of this section for newly planted trees if he determines that they do not interfere with public travel, obstruct the light of any street light or endanger public safety.

(c)

The necessity of the pruning may be determined by the public works director.

(d)

Clearance from sidewalk to lower branches shall not be less than ten feet. All trees standing upon private property in the town, the branches of which extend over the line of the street, shall be trimmed so that no branch shall grow or hang over the line of the sidewalk lower than ten feet above the level of the sidewalk. No tree shall be permitted to grow in such a manner as to obstruct the proper diffusion of light from any public lamp.

(e)

Trimming or pruning of more than two-thirds of the crown shall be considered to be a major alteration and shall require authorization from the public works director.

(Prior Code, § 6-5-7)