By ED SALVAS
In an effort to keep Asbury Park from losing more trees to development and to help with storm water management, the City Council is amending the ordinance giving the Environmental and Shade Tree Commission the power to fight back.
At the April 24 Council meeting, the ordinance governing the commission was amended to add penalties for tree removal. President Tom Pivinski said residents who want to remove a tree on their property have two options – plant another tree in the same spot, or at another location on the property, or pay the city $450 to buy a new tree and plant it somewhere else in Asbury Park,
“You can’t simply tear a tree down,” Pivinski said.
Shade Tree Commission Treasurer Gabriella Cucinotta said the ordinance is basically what the state DEP had suggested with a few minor changes. Residents will now have to request a permit to have a tree removed.
The council also amended the plastic bag ordinance which also eliminates reusable plastic bags by local merchants, leaving paper bags the only option. City Planner Michele Alonso said she anticipates the state will soon pass an identical bill.
The council wrapped up the meeting approving $2 million to put badly needed new roofs on City Hall and Council Chambers, the train station and Department of Public Works building.
